Wagering game benefits redeemable at another gaming device

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus are described for offering a benefit to a player of a first electronic game device. In an embodiment, the method includes determining if a player of a first electronic game device qualifies to receive at least one benefit associated with an award value, and then outputting an offer to provide the at least one benefit. In some embodiments, the offer requires use of a second electronic game device. The method may also include receiving a request for the benefit at the second electronic game device, and then providing at least one benefit to the player. In some embodiments, the offer includes such benefits as additional game play, one or more bonus-round game outcomes, a monetary payout, a game play modification, additional comp points, loss insurance, a multimedia option, and acquisition of at least one unit of media content.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to electronic Game Devices(GDs), such as slot machines, video poker machines and pachinko machinesthat are used by players to play wagering games. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining thata player of a first GD qualifies for a benefit associated with an awardvalue, and if so, providing an offer that requires the player to redeemthe benefit at a second GD. For example, a player may qualify to receivean offer for additional game play by using a second GD that is locatedin a different part of the casino. Advantages and features of theinvention will become apparent upon reading the contents of thisdocument, and the nature of the invention may be more clearly understoodby reference to the following detailed description of the invention, theappended claims and to the drawings attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a plan view of an embodiment of an example of an electronicGame Device (GD) of a type adapted for use with the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of a GD similarto that depicted in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic Game Server(GS) in accordance with the invention, wherein the GS is a component ofa system and may be configured to communicate with a plurality of GDs;

FIG. 3A is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a GD to determineif a player qualifies to receive an offer for a benefit in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3B and 3C depict a flowchart 350 illustrating the operation of asecond GD that is configured to receive cashout tickets from players andto satisfy proper requests to redeem benefit offers made by a first GDin accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a tabular representation of an example of a gameresults table of a GD according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a tabular representation of a benefits due database accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cashout ticket in accordance with an aspect of theinvention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a display screen output that provides aplayer with an indication of an offer for a benefit according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example display screen of a second GD which isproviding a benefit according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a menu displayed to a player to enableselection of a bonus-round game style according to an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Applicants have recognized that it would be advantageous to, withoutinterrupting an already-profitable behavioral pattern, steer a playerfrom one electronic game device (GD) such as a slot machine to adifferent GD to redeem a spin or payout. For example, a player might wina “spin” on a first GD, and be directed to a second GD to play the spin.In a particular example, a player might play a “standard” GD, and win abonus-round game entry or spin that is exclusively redeemable at aspecial “bonus-round only” GD that is positioned at a central locationon a slot floor of a casino. There are numerous potential benefits toboth players and casinos for directing players to other GDs for thepurpose of redeeming a spin or payout. For example, casinos and GDmanufacturers wish to encourage players to try new GDs, and can thusprovide benefits and/or incentives (e.g., a player is awarded one freebonus spin on a new brand of slot game at a GD that is physicallylocated at a remote site which may be a short or a long distance awayfrom the first GD). In an embodiment, patrons may be steered to redeemwinnings at a visible, central location on a slot floor, so that theplayers' big wins become a visible event (e.g., taking place at a largemachine such as a “Mega”-GD in a high-traffic area). Such “big win”events may excite onlookers and motivate them to gamble. Moreover, thecasino is given some added general flexibility concerning managing theflow of players on the slot machine floor. That is, by providing apotentially small benefit, players may be driven to particular areas orto particular GDs as the casino sees fit.

In some embodiments, players may be provided with additional benefits insituations where they redeem at a second GD a payout or spin won at afirst GD. For example, players may be given an additional monetarybenefit (e.g., a 20% bonus on top of any winnings resulting from aparticular spin). Additionally, in some embodiments, players redeeming aspin or payout at a second GD may find the second GDs ability to executea game play and/or provide such a payout or spin to be moreentertaining, immersive, or otherwise enjoyable (e.g., more than thefirst GDs ability). For example, if the second GD is a “bonus-roundonly” device that redeems bonus round entries provided by other GDs,without the need to accommodate “traditional” game play or wagering(e.g., the “bonus-round only” device doesn't need a robust dashboard ofwagering and/or payline options), such a device may allow for a morerobust bonus-round experience. For example, a “bonus-round only” devicemay feature an oversized, electromechanical bonus wheel, large displayscreens, surround sound, and possibly some other over-sized or “extreme”features. Such “bonus-round only” Gds may also contain instructions on adisplay, for example, that are visible to persons who pass by (such ascasino patrons and/or players) explaining how to win spins and/or whichother GDs may be used to achieve game play on that GD. Players mayperceive that the ability to utilize such a “bonus-round only” second GDis a privilege, and may be happy that other patrons see them playing thesecond GD.

In some situations, the practice of directing a player of a first GD toa second GD may be unnecessary, inadvisable (e.g., the player isenjoying himself and should not be disturbed), unprofitable (e.g., theplayer is generating substantial revenue through play of the first GD)or otherwise unacceptable to a casino. Thus, in an embodiment, themethod and system includes various rules (e.g., stored in electronicmemory and utilized by one or more software programs of a GD and/or acasino server and/or a Gaming Server (GS) or the like) that may be putin place to determine when players may receive and/or redeem suchadditional spins and/or payouts. For example, the casino may only offerthe provision and/or redemption of such benefits (which may beadditional spins) and/or payouts at various times of the day, forcertain players, for large payout amounts, and/or when utilization withrespect to certain GDs is beneath a certain threshold. Further, methodsare contemplated for motivating the players to go back to the GDs thatthey were initially playing on the slot floor after they are finishedusing the second GD (e.g., a dual-value cashout option provides more“promotional” or non-cashable value at certain standard GDs (e.g., 110promotional credits) on the floor than for simply being cashed out(e.g., for a monetary equivalent of 100 credits)).

For example, a player who is playing a standard video slot machine GDmay achieve an outcome of “Wheel-Wheel-Wheel”. However, rather thantrigger the bonus round immediately at the GD that he's playing, thescreen indicates: “Congratulations, you've won a spin of our Mega BonusWheel in the center of the room! Just insert your cashout ticket fromthis machine at any time to redeem your spin.” The standard video slotmachine (or server in communication therewith) also determines andstores an award value, which may be an expected value (EV) due to theplayer in association with the bonus spin. (For example, the EV may beequivalent to the sum of the probability of each possible outcome theplayer may later receive multiplied by the outcome's payout.) In orderto take advantage of the additional game play (which may also be thoughtof as acquiring an additional gaming output), the player later insertshis cashout ticket at the Mega Bonus Wheel GD. When the cashout ticketis inserted, the Mega Bonus Wheel device (i) looks up the predeterminedaward value (for example, an EV) that is due to the player (e.g., acentral database may store a value such as “100” coins), and then (ii)provides the EV by generating a random game result that yields the EV.(For example, by way of the random result, some players win 80 coins,some players win 100 coins, and other players win 120 coins. But in thelong run 100 coins are paid out on average to players who are due and/orpresenting an EV of 100 coins).

In another example, rather than indicate an award value which may beprovided to a player, a cashout ticket or other type of ticket orvoucher may indicate a probability table and/or a payout table againstwhich a random result is to be determined by the second device (e.g.,the ticket indicates “Bonus round pool BP-X10292,” referring to a tableor a database that stores a variety of bonus payout amounts withprobabilities and random number ranges associated therewith). But insome other embodiments, a player may be presented with a display ofseveral “masked” rewards boxes that each conceals a payout amount,wherein the payout amounts are not associated with probability or payouttables.

In some embodiments, such a second GD or “bonus-only” device may recallor otherwise obtain and then output the “bonus-triggering” outcome theplayer initially achieved at the first machine. For example, beforeproviding an elaborate bonus round animation sequence, a second GD orbonus-only device may obtain and “replay” the original“Wheel-Wheel-Wheel” outcome the player achieved on a standard GD, suchas a slot machine, which serves as a thematic reminder of how the playergained access to the bonus-only device.

It should be understood that, although a slot machine type of GD wasdiscussed in the examples above, the present methods are also applicableto other GDs that offer different types of wagering games, including butnot limited to, video poker machines, video blackjack machines, kenoterminals, a pachinko machine, a GD offering a table-top game, apersonal computer, a telephone or cell phone, a portable handheld gamingdevice (e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wirelessintra-property handheld wagering device, a Nintendo® GameBoy®, and thelike), a skill crane, a skee-ball machine, and/or hardware positionedadjacent to or in association with a table game (for example, blackjackor craps) that is configured to accept, for example, cashout tickets orvouchers with such bonus round information and/or player identificationand/or bet input. It is noted that applying the methods disclosed hereinto interactive games, such as video poker or video blackjack, may bebeneficial because it may encourage players to try out new or differentGDs that they would not ordinarily utilize when visiting the casino.

It has been recognized that organizations, such as casinos, who have orare planning large-scale deployments of networked GDs may implement theidea of a single logical Electronic Game Server (GS) that transmitsgaming computations and instructions by utilizing multiple physicalElectronic Game Servers. In addition, a multi-layer architecture (suchas Model-View-Controller) may be used that may result in more than onelogical grouping of functions in the GS implementation. In theseimplementations, a single request for game play from a GD of a pluralityof GDs can be satisfied by a large number of possible combinations ofphysical devices. A “gaming request”, which is a solicitation by a GDfor data that will be used to formulate at least a portion of a gamingoutcome, may be made substantially simultaneously by a plurality of GDsin a thin client system. For example, a GD may make a gaming request forfive cards, for three icons representing a combination for display for athree-reel slot machine, for the generation of random numbers, and/orfor a mapping of random numbers to game parameters such as cards, dice,reel icons and the like. The requested functions may be handled by a GSor other device that may be a component of a gaming system (such as agaming network that includes one or more casino or gaming servers andone or more GDs) and then provided to the GD. The GS may also handlesome or all of the functions associated with determining if playersqualify to receive benefits, providing offers to the players, and/orproviding benefit parameters to, for example, bonus-round only GDs.

A need therefore exists for methods and apparatus that permit players toobtain benefits, such as additional game play, that requires use of asecond GD, which may be a bonus-round only device and/or a GD that playsa different type of wagering game, or some other device, to obtain thebenefits. Methods, apparatus and systems in accordance with thosedisclosed avoid the shortcomings of prior art systems by making itsimple, easy and exciting for players to obtain the benefits to whichthey are entitled. The methods, apparatus and systems also may includecomponents configured to collect data associated with the benefits, suchas the types of offers for benefits that are made to players, and dataassociated with additional game play. Such benefits data may beanalyzed, for example, to spot trends and/or to make improvements. Forexample, bonus-round only data may be analyzed to determine whetherchanges should be made concerning the manner in which offers forbenefits such as additional game play should be made to certain players.In addition, in some embodiments, regulators and/or casino personnel,for example, may be able to access the benefits data and use it forvarious purposes, such as checking to ensure that the offers are beingimplemented in a manner that is consistent and that is fair to allplayers.

Before describing the details associated with such benefits offers,and/or “bonus-round only” operation, presented below are descriptions ofillustrative apparatus and related components.

1. Electronic Gaming Device (GD) Components

FIG. 1A is a plan view of an embodiment 10 of an electronic gamingdevice (GD). In this example, the GD 10 comprises a three-reel slotmachine that includes a display area 12 in which an outcome for a gameof the slot machine is displayed to the player. The display area 12 maybe, for example, a video display that displays simulations of reels. Thedisplay area 12 may be, in another example, a transparent window behindwhich is located mechanical reels. A payline 14 appears within thedisplay area 12, and the payline is used to determine the outcome of agame. In particular, a particular set of symbols displayed along apayline of a reeled slot machine may be determinative of a winning orlosing combination. As shown in FIG. 1A, two bells and an orange aredisplayed along the payline 14 and a message appears in display area 22informing the player to place a wager in order to spin again. In some GDembodiments, multiple paylines (not shown) may be provided that may behorizontal (such as payline 14), vertical, and/or diagonal.

Slot machine 10 further comprises a handle 16. A player may initiate themovement of the reels in display area 12 to generate a game outcome bypulling on the handle 16. Alternatively, a player may initiate themovement of the reels in display area 12 by actuating the “START” button18. When a player utilizes the GD in a regular mode of operation, he mayplace a bet by using the “BET 3 COINS; MAX BET” button 13, or the “BET 2COINS” button 15, or the “BET 1 COIN” button 17” before utilizing thehandle 16 or START button 18 to initiate play (In some embodiments, theGD may include additional and/or alternate types of buttons, forexample, an “INCREASE BET” button and/or a “DECREASE BET” buttonoperable to either increase or reduce the size of the bet). Any or allof handle 16, START button 18, BET 3 COINS; MAX BET button 13, BET 2COINS button 15, and the BET 1 COIN button 17 are exemplary embodimentsof an input device of the GD.

In this exemplary implementation, the slot machine 10 also comprises aplayer tracking device 20 that includes a player tracking card readerand a display (e.g., an LED display) for outputting information relatedto the player identifier (e.g., player's name and number of comp pointsassociated with that player's account). The player tracking device 20may be configured to read, for example, a magnetic stripe found on thereverse side of a player gaming card provided by a casino, and to writeinformation thereto. In some embodiments, the player tracking device 20may be configured to communicate with a smart card or other types ofcards that may include storage means for storing player data and thelike.

An additional component of slot machine 10 is another display area 22that may be used to display information to a player. The display area 22may be utilized, for example, to display text or graphics informing aplayer that he is eligible for a benefit such as one or more additionalgame plays at a second GD, and/or to display a message to the playerthat he has qualified for a bonus, and/or to convey other information tothe player.

A payment system 30 includes a bill acceptor and credit card reader 34,and a coin acceptor 36. Other payment systems, such as ticket or couponacceptors, and/or a smart card reader, could also be utilized. A playerutilizes the payment system 30 to provide payment to obtain wageringcredits so that the player may make a wager for playing a game.

The slot machine 10 further comprises a credit meter balance 35 thatreflects the amount of electronic credits currently available to aplayer (as shown in FIG. 1A, the player has 156 credits available). Theplayer may use the electronic credits as wagers for games played on thegaming device. In some embodiments, electronic credits may be “cashedout” as coins, bills, tokens, a cashless gaming receipt, and/or valuetransferred to another financial account associated with the player.

The slot machine 10 includes yet another display area 40, which displaysa regular mode payout schedule for the slot machine 10. The payoutschedule displays payouts that correspond to various outcomes obtainableduring the regular mode of operation of the slot machine 10. In one ormore embodiments, if an outcome is displayed in display area 12 that, asindicated in display area 40, corresponds to a payout, the credit meterbalance 35 may be increased by an amount of electronic creditscorresponding to the payout. In some embodiments, an alternate payoutschedule, such as a bonus-round payout schedule (not shown), may also bedisplayed in the display area 40 or elsewhere, which may indicate thepayouts available when a player is eligible for receiving such abenefit.

Finally, the slot machine 10 comprises a coin tray 50 into which paymentto the player may be rendered by dispensing coins. Such coins may bedispensed based on, for example, a player's indication that the playerwould like to cash out his credit meter balance and/or after a winningoutcome obtained by a player as a result of playing a game on the slotmachine 10.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram 60 of an embodiment of a GD or playerterminal which may be similar to that of FIG. 1A. The GD 60 may beimplemented as a system controller, a dedicated hardware circuit, anappropriately programmed general-purpose computer, or any otherequivalent electronic, mechanical or electromechanical device. The GD 60may comprise a game of skill or a game of chance, for example, a reeledslot machine (whether mechanical or video), a video poker terminal, avideo blackjack terminal, a video keno terminal, a video lotteryterminal, a pachinko machine, or any apparatus that provides anelectronic version of any tabletop game. In various embodiments, an GDmay comprise, for example, a personal computer (e.g., which communicateswith an online casino Web site), a telephone (e.g., to communicate withan automated sports book that provides gaming services), or a portablehandheld gaming device (e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA),Nintendo GameBoy™, or SONY brand PSP™). In some embodiments, a userdevice such as a PDA or cell phone may be used in place of, or inaddition to, some or all of the GD 60 components depicted in FIG. 1B.

The GD 60 of FIG. 1B includes a processor 62, such as one or more Intel®Pentium® processors, or similar processors manufactured by othercompanies such as Advanced Micro Devices, Incorporated. The processor 62is in communication with a memory 80 and a communication port 64 (e.g.,for communicating with one or more other devices, such as with aperipheral device). The memory 80 may comprise an appropriatecombination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, and mayinclude, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory(ROM), a compact disc and/or a hard disk. The memory 80 may comprise orinclude any type of computer-readable medium. The processor 62 and thememory 80 may each be, for example: (i) located entirely within a singlecomputer or other device; or (ii) connected to each other by a remotecommunication medium, such as a serial port cable, telephone line orradio frequency transceiver. In one embodiment, the GD 60 may compriseone or more devices that are connected to a remote server computer, suchas a GS, which may be a casino server, for maintaining databases or datain another memory scheme.

The memory 80 stores a program 82 for controlling the processor 62. Theprocessor 62 performs instructions of the program 82, and therebyoperates in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, andparticularly in accordance with the methods described in detail herein.For example, in some embodiments, the program 82 also includesinstructions operable to provide an offer to a player to obtain at leastone benefit that is associated with an award value. The program 82, aswell as any other program for controlling a processor described herein,may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/or encrypted format. Theprogram 82 furthermore includes program elements that may be necessary,such as an operating system, a database management system and “devicedrivers” for allowing the processor 62 to interface with one or morecomputer peripheral devices. Appropriate program elements are known tothose skilled in the art, and need not be described in detail herein.

According to an embodiment, the instructions of the program 82 may beread into a main memory from another computer-readable medium, such froma ROM to RAM. Execution of sequences of the instructions in program 82may cause processor 62 to perform one or more process steps describedherein. In alternate embodiments, hard wired circuitry may be used inplace of, or in combination with, software instructions forimplementation of some or all of the processes of the present invention.Thus, embodiments described herein are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware and software.

The memory 80 may also store one or more databases 84, or portionsthereof. For example, the database 84 of memory 80 may include one ormore probability databases, one or more payout databases, and one ormore benefits databases. Thus, the memory 80 of the GD 60 may beconfigured to provide at least some of the data required for a player toplay a game of chance, and/or to determine if a player qualifies toreceive an offer for a benefit, and the GD may then obtain any otherrequired software, data, and/or instructions from one or more otherdevices.

The fields of a probability database may specify, for example: (i) arandom number (or range of random numbers) that may be generated by arandom number generator; and (ii) an outcome that indicates the one ormore indicia comprising the outcome that corresponds to the randomnumber of a particular record. A GD 60 may utilize a probabilitydatabase to determine, for example, what outcome corresponds to a randomnumber generated by a random number generator and to display thedetermine d outcome. For example, the outcomes may comprise the threesymbols to be displayed along the payline of a three-reel slot machine.Other arrangements of probability databases are possible. For example,the book “Winning At Slot Machines” by Jim Regan (Carol Publishing GroupEdition, 19264) illustrates examples of payout and probability tablesand how they may be derived. The entirety of this book is incorporatedby reference herein for all purposes.

The fields of a payout database may specify, for example: (i) anoutcome, which indicates the one or more indicia comprising a givenoutcome; and (ii) a payout that corresponds to each respective outcome.If GD 60 comprises an electronic version of a three-reel slot machine,for example, the outcomes may mirror those obtained on a three-reel slotmachine so that, after determining the outcome for displaying on the GDdisplay, the GD may access a payout database to determine whether thatoutcome is one of the outcomes stored as corresponding to a payout. Ifit is, the GD may provide the corresponding payout to the player via abenefit output device described herein. Other arrangements of payoutdatabases are possible. For example, the book “Winning At Slot Machines”by Jim Regan (Carol Publishing Group Edition, 19264), previouslyincorporated by reference, illustrates many examples of payout andprobability tables and how they may be derived. In some embodiments, abenefits payout database may be used to specify, for example: (i) one ormore outcomes that includes a definition of which indicia compriseany/each of the predetermined outcomes; and (ii) an increased payout orprize award that corresponds to each respective outcome in, for example,a bonus-round only play mode.

The processor 62 is also operable to communicate with a random numbergenerator 66, which may be a component of the GD 60 in someconfigurations or of an GS in some embodiments. The random numbergenerator 66 (as well as any other random number generator describedherein), in accordance with at least one embodiment, may generate datarepresenting random or pseudo-random values (referred to as “randomnumbers” herein). The random number generator may generate a randomnumber every predetermined unit of time (e.g., every second) or inresponse to an initiation of a game on the gaming device. The generatedrandom numbers may be used as they are generated and/or stored forfuture use.

A random number generator, as used herein, may be embodied as aprocessor separate from but working in cooperation with processor 62.Alternatively, a random number generator may be embodied as analgorithm, program component, or software stored in the memory of a GDor on another device, such as on an GS, and used to generate a randomnumber. Alternately, a GD owner or operator may obtain sets of randomnumbers that have been generated by another entity using known methods.

The processor 62 is also operable to communicate with an awards outputdevice 68, which may be a component of GD 60. The awards output device68 may comprise one or more devices for outputting an award to a playerof the gaming device 60. For example, in one embodiment the GD 60 mayprovide coins and/or tokens and/or chips as an award. The GD 60 may alsoor alternately provide a receipt or other document on which there isprinted an indication of an award and/or a benefit, such as a cashlessgaming receipt that has printed thereon a monetary value redeemable forcash and/or a benefit offer having no monetary value but good forobtaining a benefit such as a free game play on a second GD. In such anembodiment the awards output device 68 may comprise a printing anddocument dispensing mechanism, to provide, for example, a ticket,coupon, or a cashless gaming voucher. In yet another example, the GD 60may provide electronic credits that may be subsequently converted tocoins and/or tokens. In yet another example, the GD 60 may credit amonetary amount to a financial account associated with a player, such asa credit card account, a debit account, a charge account, a checkingaccount, and/or a casino account. In such an embodiment, the awardsoutput device 68 may include a credit meter balance and/or a processorthat manages the amount of electronic credits that is indicated on adisplay of a credit meter balance. In such an embodiment the awardsoutput device 68 may comprise a device for communicating with a serveron which the financial account is maintained. In some embodiments, theawards output device 68 may output a coupon or voucher that may be usedto obtain a benefit, such as additional game play.

Note that, in one or more embodiments, the GD 60 may include more thanone awards output device 68 even though only one awards output device isillustrated in FIG. 1B. For example, GD 60 may include both a hopper andhopper controller combination and a credit meter balance (See FIG. 1A).Such a GD may be operable to provide more than one type of payment oraward to a player.

The processor 62 is also operable to communicate with a display device70, which may be a component of GD 60. The display device 70 maycomprise, for example, one or more display screens or areas foroutputting information related to game play on the GD or to an offer forbenefits. For example, a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) screen, or light emitting diode (LED) screen may be used.In addition, the GD 60 may include more than one display device 70, forexample, an LCD display for displaying electronic reels and a viewingwindow behind which are located mechanical reels so that the player canview rotation of the mechanical reels during game play. The displaydevice 70 may also be operable to display one or more messages to aplayer, for example, an indication that the player has earned an offerfor at least one benefit (i.e., a display of the offer for the benefit)that is associated with an award value, and that requires use of asecond GD to redeem the benefit.

The processor 62 may also be in communication with one or more otherdevices besides the display device 70, for outputting information (e.g.,to a player or another device). Such other one or more output devicesmay also be components of GD 60. Such other one or more output devicesmay include, for example, an audio speaker (e.g., to output a message toa player, in addition to or in lieu of such a message being output via adisplay device 70), an infra-red transmitter, a radio transmitter, anelectric motor, a printer, a coupon or product dispenser, an infra-redport (e.g., for communicating with a second gaming device or a portabledevice of a player), a Braille computer monitor, and/or a coin or billdispenser. Examples of common GD output devices include a cathode raytube (CRT) monitor on a video poker machine, a bell on a gaming device(e.g., rings when a player wins), an LED display of a player's creditbalance, and an LCD display of a personal digital assistant (PDA) fordisplaying keno numbers.

The processor 62 is also in communication with an input device 72, whichis a device that is capable of receiving an input (e.g., from a playeror another device) and which may be a component of GD 60. An inputdevice may communicate with or be part of another device (e.g. a server,another GD, etc.). Some examples of input devices include: a bar-codescanner, a magnetic stripe reader, a computer keyboard or keypad, acomputer mouse, a button (e.g., mechanical, electromechanical, or“soft”, as in a portion of a touch-screen), a switch (e.g. a twoposition toggle switch that may be used to switch between, for example,different game types or modes of operation), a handle, a keypad, atouch-screen, a microphone and associated voice recognition unit (whichmay include voice recognition software), an infrared sensor, a voicerecognition module, a biometric input device (i.e. a fingerprint orretinal scanner), a coin or bill acceptor, a sonic ranger, a computerport, a video camera, a motion detector, a digital camera, a networkcard, a universal serial bus (USB) port, a GPS receiver, a radiofrequency identification (RFID) receiver, an RF receiver, a thermometer,a pressure sensor, an infrared port (e.g., for receiving communicationsfrom with a second gaming device or a another device such as a smartcard or PDA of a player), a weight or pressure sensor (such as a weightscale), a motion sensor, and a global positioning system card, chip orsensor. Common GD input devices include a button or touch screen on anelectronic video poker machine, a lever or handle connected to the GD, amagnetic stripe reader to read a player tracking card inserted into anGD, a touch screen for input of player selections during game play, anda coin and bill acceptor (see e.g., FIG. 1A). Input device 72 maycomprise any of the above-described input devices or any combinationthereof (i.e., input device 72 may comprise more than one input device).

The input device 72 may include an apparatus for determining if a playerhas qualified to receive a benefit, and the processor 62 may thenprovide an offer to obtain the benefit. Such an apparatus may include,for example, a counter that monitors, tracks and/or counts the number ofnon-winning outcomes generated by the GD and then outputs a signal whenthe number of non-winning outcomes exceeds a predetermined thresholdnumber. In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided that is operableto determine if the player is feeling frustrated, and configured toprovide an output signal to the processor as an input for determining atrigger condition that maybe used to identify the player and/or to offera benefit to the player. For example, the device may include a playactivator coupled to the processor, and a sensor coupled to the playactivator and the processor, wherein the sensor is operable to generatea signal indicative of an amount of force that the player exerts on theplay activator, and wherein the processor is operable to receive thesignal and determine if the amount of force exceeds a predefinedthreshold amount of force. In some embodiments, the input device 72 maybe configured to communicate with a peripheral device, a smart card, aUSB key device, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and acasino personnel device, and may be configured to permit access to thedatabase 84 to obtain data.

In some embodiments, a GD 60 may comprise components capable offacilitating both input and output functions (i.e., input/outputdevices). For example, a touch-sensitive display screen is aninput/output device (e.g., the device outputs graphics and receivesselections from players). In another example, a processor maycommunicate with a “ticket-in/ticket-out” device configured to dispenseand receive cash-out tickets. Such a device may also assist in (e.g.,provide data so as to facilitate) various accounting functions (e.g.,ticket validation and redemption).

Of course, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, aGD 60 may comprise various combinations of any or all of the componentdevices described herein. For example, in one or more embodiments, theGD may include more than one display device, one or more other outputdevices, several input devices, and so on (e.g., two display screens,two audio speakers, a headset, a ticket-in/ticket-out device and severalbuttons).

The processor 62 is also in communication with a payment system 76,which may be a component of the GD 60. The payment system 76 is a devicecapable of accepting payment from a player (e.g., a bet or initiation ofa balance) and/or providing payment to a player (e.g., a payout).Payment is not limited to currency, but may also include other types ofconsideration, including products, services, and alternate currencies.Payment system 76 may be considered to be an example of an input device72 in some embodiments.

Exemplary methods of accepting payment by the payment system 76 include(i) receiving hard currency (i.e., coins or bills), and accordingly thepayment system 76 may comprise a coin or bill acceptor; (ii) receivingan alternate currency (e.g., a paper cashless gaming voucher, a cashoutticket, a coupon, a non-negotiable token), and accordingly the paymentsystem 76 may comprise a bar code reader or other sensing means; (iii)receiving a payment identifier (e.g., a credit card number, a debit cardnumber, a player tracking card number or other account identifier) anddebiting the account identified by the payment identifier; and (iv)determining that a player has performed a value-added activity.

Processor 62 may also be in communication with a player tracking device78, which may be a component of GD 60. Player tracking device 78 may, insome embodiments, be considered an example of an input device 72. Playertracking device 78 may, in one or more embodiments, comprise a readerdevice operable to read information from and/or write information to acard such as a smart card and/or a player tracking card, such that (i)players may be identified, and (ii) various data associated with playersmay then be determined. For example, previous wagering, coin-in and/orcash-out behaviors previously engaged in by the player, the number ofpromotional credits available to that player, and the number and typesof offers for benefits, such as additional bonus-round only spins, maybe determined based on information associated with the playeridentifier.

In one embodiment, the player tracking device 78 may comprise (i) a cardreader (e.g., a port into which player tracking cards may be inserted),(ii) various input devices (e.g., a keypad, a touch-screen), (iii)various output devices (e.g., a small, full-color display screen),and/or (iv) combinations thereof (e.g., a touch-sensitive display screenthat accommodates both input and output functions). Various commerciallyavailable devices may be suitable for such an application, such as theNextGen™ interactive player tracking panel manufactured by IGT or theiVIEW display screen manufactured by Bally® Gaming and Systems.

As known in the art, “smart cards” may incorporate (i) a memory, and(ii) means for accessing such a memory. For example, in an embodiment,the memory may store data related to aspects of the present invention.Data may be written to the smart card during game play, and various datamay be updated on a continuous, or periodic, or event-triggered basis.Accordingly, in one or more embodiments one or more devices operable tocarry out various processes of the present invention may have associatedtherewith a smart card reader device, such that data may be read fromthe smart card or loaded onto the smart card pursuant to the executionof such processes.

In one embodiment, GD 60 may be operable to facilitate downloadablegames such that games available for play on GD 60 may be stored on aserver device and downloaded to the GD 60. In one embodiment, softwarecomponents of the GD 60 may be remotely accessed, modified and/orupdated by another device. For example, payout or probability tables forthe regular mode of game play, and for additional game play orbonus-round game play, may be stored in the memory of the GD 60, and maybe accessed, altered, modified or updated remotely. In addition, hotfixes may be applied to software stored by the GD 60 and/or new versionsof software may be downloaded to the GD 60. Similarly, the GD 60 may beprogrammed to retrieve any or all such updates from another device, asappropriate. Any of the above (e.g., accessing stored data, downloadingof a game, updating of software, modification of a payout table orprobability table) may occur, for example, based upon an occurrence ofan event (e.g., a scheduled event, or a trigger event), and/or based onan indication being received from casino personnel or other personnel(e.g., a regulator). In an embodiment, GD 60 may be a thin client devicethat is controlled by one or more other devices.

In one or more embodiments, various aspects of the present invention maybe practiced by replacing and/or augmenting one or more components(e.g., hardware and/or software components) of an existing GD. Thus, inone or more embodiments, the invention may be applied as a retrofit orupgrade to existing GDs currently available for play within variouscasinos.

In a specific example, a gaming device may comprise various electroniccomponents mounted to one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs). Suchcomponents may include various hardware described herein, such as acommunications port and various controllers of peripheral devices (e.g.,a display controller), as well as a memory for storing programminginstructions (software) and a processor for carrying out suchinstructions. One form of memory commonly found in GDs is electronicallyerasable programmable read-only memory or erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM or EPROM). Thus, in one or more embodiments, anEEPROM storing software with instructions for carrying out aspects ofthe present invention (as well as instructions for carrying out otherfunctions traditionally performed by the GD) may replace or augment anEEPROM previously installed in a GD, such that the gaming device may beconfigured to operate in accordance with various processes describedherein.

For example, a separate display device or LED meter, which may be usedto display and/or determine when an offer for a benefit or benefitsshould be made, may be made available for purchase to various casinooperators. Such components which may comprise various hardware andsoftware (e.g., an EEPROM storing software instructions), may beinstalled in and/or retrofit to an existing device such as a GD (e.g., avideo-reel slot machine, a video poker machine, etc.). In someembodiments, when the separate display device and/or LED meter isinstalled (and/or retrofitted), offers for benefits may be made to aplayer based on the various gaming outcomes generated by that player,and/or each of such “secondary machine benefits” may be tracked. In anembodiment, the player may be required to input payment of a nominal feein order to receive an offer for benefits.

In some embodiments, rather than configure existing GDs to executeembodiments described herein by installing or connecting new hardwareand/or software, software may be downloaded into an existing memory ofone or more GDs. U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,634 to Wells et al. teaches methodsfor downloading data to gaming devices in such a manner. The entirety ofU.S. Pat. No. 6,805,634 is incorporated by reference herein for allpurposes. Thus, in some embodiments, an existing GD may be reprogrammedto accommodate new functionality of the present invention without theneed, or by minimizing the need, to remove and replace hardware withinthe GD.

2. Electronic Game Server (GS) Components

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a system 200 that includes anembodiment of an Electronic Game Server (GS) 250 configured tocommunicate, through a Load Balance Device 206 and communicationsnetwork 208, with a plurality of GDs 210 and a “Bonus” GD 212. A secondGS 270 is also shown in communication with the plurality of GDs 210 andBonus GD 212 through the Load Balance Device 206 and communicationsnetwork 208. It should be understood, however, that only one GS or morethan two GS's could be used, and that more than one Bonus GD 212 couldbe used, and thus that the network configuration depicted in FIG. 2 isprovided for illustrative purposes only. In addition, although FIG. 2indicates that there may be any number of GDs (GD-1, GD-2 to GD-N) and aBonus GD 212, in any particular system configuration including theembodiment shown having two GS's, there will exist a threshold maximumnumber of GDs 210 and/or Bonus GDs 212 that could be handled to ensurethat the system functions efficiently.

The GS 250 includes a processor 252, such as one or more Intel® Pentium®processors. The processor 252 is in communication with a communicationport 254 for communicating with one or more other devices, such as theLoad Balance Device 206, and a memory 256. The memory 256 may comprisean appropriate combination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductormemory, and may include, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), ReadOnly Memory (ROM), a compact disc and/or a hard disk. The processor 252and the memory 256 may each be, for example: (i) located entirely withina single computer or other device; or (ii) connected to each other by aremote communication medium, such as an Ethernet cable, telephone lineor radio frequency transceiver. In one embodiment, the GS 250 maycomprise one or more devices that are connected to a separate, remoteserver computer or computers for maintaining databases.

The memory 256 stores a program 258 for controlling the processor 252.The processor 252 performs instructions of the program 258, and therebyoperates in accordance with at least some embodiments of the presentinvention, and particularly in accordance with the methods described indetail herein. The program 258 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiledand/or encrypted format. The program 258 furthermore includes programelements that may be necessary, such as an operating system, a databasemanagement system and “device drivers” for allowing the processor 252 tointerface with one or more peripheral devices. Appropriate programelements are known to those skilled in the art, and need not bedescribed in detail herein. The program 258 may include computer programcode that allows the GS 250 to employ the communication port 254 tocommunicate with one or more GDs 210 and one or more bonus-round onlyGDs 212.

According to an embodiment, the instructions of the program 258 may beread into a main memory from another computer-readable medium, such asfrom a ROM to a RAM. Execution of sequences of the instructions inprogram 258 may cause processor 252 to perform some or all of theprocess steps described herein. In alternate embodiments, hard wiredcircuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, softwareinstructions for implementation of the processes of the presentinvention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention are not limited toany specific combination of hardware and software. For example, in someembodiments, a peripheral device may be provided for storing benefitsdata that can only be accessed by authorized personnel, such as by aregulator and/or by a designated casino employee.

In an embodiment, the GS 250 functions to provide one or more parametersfor downloadable games playable on one or more GDs 210, and may alsoprovide data and/or payments to provide bonus game play on one or moresecond GDs 212. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the memory 256 may alsostore: (i) a player database 260, (ii) a gaming device database 262 thatstores information related to one or more gaming devices with which thecontroller 250 is operable to communicate, which may include the BonusGD 212, (iii) a game database 264 that stores information regarding oneor more games playable on and/or downloadable to one or more gamingdevices, (iv) a benefits database 265, (v) a scheduling and/orconfiguration database 266 useful for determining which games are to bemade available on which gaming devices, and/or (vi) a benefits paytablesand/or probability tables database 268.

The player database 260 may include, for example, data corresponding toa player identifier, player preferences, an indication of wagers placedor number of games played by a player, an indication of duration of playby a player at the GD, and the like. The benefits database 265 mayinclude, for example, data associated with offers that may be made toplayers to obtain benefits. The benefits data may include, for example,criteria that governs how and when offers are made to players forobtaining such benefits as additional game play or bonus-round only gameplay on one or more Bonus GDs in the network, which will be discussed inmore detail below. The Benefits Paytables and/or Probability Tablesdatabase 268 may include, for example, data concerning the paytablesand/or probability tables for use when a player redeems benefits thatwere offered to him, which will be discussed in more detail below.Additional databases that store similar or different data could beincluded in the memory 256, and thus the particular configurationdepicted in FIG. 2 is for exemplary purposes only. In addition, some ofthe information stored in the various databases may also be stored in amemory associated with or physically located at one or more of the GDs.Further, one or more of the databases may contain data that is the sameas, or overlaps with, data stored in another database.

Similarly, in one embodiment the GS 250 may be operable to configure oneor more GDs 210 or the Bonus GD 212 remotely, update software that maybe stored on a GD and/or to download software or software components toa GD. For example, GS 250 may be operable to apply a hot fix to softwarestored on a GD 210, modify a payout and/or probability table stored on aGD or stored on the Bonus GD 212, and/or transmit a new version ofsoftware and/or a software component to a GD 210 or the GD 212. GS 250may be programmed to perform any or all of the above functions based on,for example, an occurrence of an event (e.g., a scheduled event),receiving an indication from a qualified casino employee and/or otherperson (e.g., a regulator), and/or when receiving a request from aplayer.

Although the databases 260 through 268 are described as being stored ina memory of GS 250, in other embodiments some or all of these databasesmay be partially or wholly stored, in lieu of or in addition to beingstored in a memory of controller 250, in a memory of one or more otherdevices. Such one or more other devices may comprise, for example, oneor more peripheral devices, one or more GDs, a slot server (if differentfrom the GS 250), another electronic gaming server (such as GS 270) ordifferent type of application server, another device, or a combinationthereof. Further, some or all of the data described as being stored inthe memory 256 may be partially or wholly stored (in addition to or inlieu of being stored in the memory 256) in a memory of one or more otherdevices. Such one or more other devices may comprise, for example, oneor more peripheral devices, one or more gaming devices, a slot server(if different from GS 250), another type of electronic gaming server orapplication server, another device, or a combination thereof. Thus, anyor all of the devices in the system 200 may store one or more programsfor executing one or more steps of the processes disclosed herein, andmay maintain one or more databases that contain data that may be usefulto execute one or more steps of the processes described herein.

For example, in an embodiment a particular GS such as GS 250 may bedesignated as a “Benefits Server” and function to obtain and store GDbenefits game requests (i.e., to generate outcomes for a particular typeof bonus game GD, and/or to provide offers for benefits, and the like),responses, outcomes and/or other data that concern a GD 210 and/or aBonus GD 212, or a group of GDs and the Bonus GD 212, or an entiresystem of GDs and one or more Bonus GDs. In an embodiment, the BenefitsServer may be operable to obtain and store various data of a group ofGDs that may be configured to provide bonus game play, for example, thatare all in one physical location, such as a gaming floor of a casino, orin a lounge area of a hotel or restaurant, or in an airport lounge. Insome embodiments, one or more GS's may function to obtain and store dataof GDs in disparate locations that may be owned by different entities.It is also contemplated that one or more servers may function toautomatically analyze a portion or portions of the data gathered fromthe GDs, which may include benefits data, concerning any particular GDor group of GDs (as described in more detail below). In addition, one ormore of the GS's of a system may be a secure computer that can only beaccessed by a regulator, or authorized casino personnel, or otherauthorized person. Accordingly, to access any of the databases of asecure GS, input of security codes, such as one or more password, may berequired. It is also contemplated that additional security measureswould be implemented, such as firewall programs to prevent unauthorizedpersons from viewing and/or modifying the data gathered therein. In someembodiments, a GS may be a Web Server.

Thus, in some embodiments, a system 200 for providing gaming andbenefits to players may include a plurality of electronic game devices210 and a Bonus GD 212, wherein at least one of the GDs is configured toprovide an offer or offers for benefits, such as additional game play onthe Bonus GD. Such a network system may also include at least oneserver, such as the GS 250, configured to communicate with the pluralityof GDs 210 and the Bonus GD 212, and to receive benefits data. The GS250 may be configured to obtain and to store the benefits data in abenefits database 265, wherein the benefits data may include dataidentifying the GD that is operating, data identifying all othercommunicating devices associated with that GD, data associated with atleast one offer for benefits, data corresponding to the time and date ofeach such offer, player identification data, and/or any other types ofdata associated with benefit offers. In some embodiments, a GS includesat least one memory and is configured to automatically analyze thebenefits data and to generate output, which may be a report and/or oneor more instructions for taking at least one action, based on theanalysis.

3. Benefit Offers and Providing Benefits

A. Offers for Benefits

FIG. 3A is a flowchart 300 illustrating an embodiment of the operationof a GD that is configured to provide offers for benefits to players.The GD may be part of a gaming system, such as the network system 200shown in FIG. 2, or may be a stand-alone GD. Thus, as discussed above,the GD may be one of a plurality of GDs that may be in communicationwith other GDs, GS's, and/or other devices, which may be configured in athin-client architecture. A player initiates game play at a particularGD by making a payment and obtaining a credit balance.

Referring again to FIG. 3A, in step 302, a GD receives payment (or someform of consideration) and establishes a credit balance for the player.The GD may include a payment system (for example, the payment system 30of FIG. 1A) in order to accept the payments from players. The player canthen use the credit balance to place bets and initiate wagering gameplay. The GD may be, for example, a video poker machine. In step 304,the GD operates in a regular mode, requiring the player to place a wager(i.e., make a bet) before he is permitted to push a button to request,for example, five cards to be dealt. The dealing task for the game maybe handled by some other device (for example, the GD is a video fivecard stud gaming machine, and cannot itself generate the information).An example of a request parameter in this case is “five-card stud”,which entails requesting five random numbers, and as explained earlier,such a request may be handled by another device, for example, by a GS.The five random numbers are then mapped to cards, and this function maybe handled by an GS that is different from, or the same as, the GS thatgenerated the random numbers. The results are transmitted back to therequesting GD, which then uses the information to display the cards on avideo screen to the player, and to provide credits if a winning outcomewas generated. Some or all of the data concerning this operation may bestored as transaction data in a database, and may also be stored in oneor more additional databases.

Next, a determination 306 is made as to whether the player qualifies toreceive an offer for one or more benefits. If not, then the processchecks to see if the player made a request to cashout 308, and if theplayer did so then the GD terminates play, and in this example, providesa cashout ticket 310. In some embodiments, the cashout ticket isprovided only if there is a positive remaining credit balance and/or ifan offer for at least one benefit was made to the player. If the playerdid not request a cashout, then the process branches back to step 304wherein the GD continues to operate in the regular mode to provide thewagering game to the player.

But if the player does qualify to receive an offer for benefits 306,then an award value is determined 312 and a conditional offer to obtaina benefit 314 is made to the player (for example, a condition may bethat the player must use a second GD to obtain the benefit). In someembodiments, at least a portion of the conditional offer is made inassociation with an expected value (EV), which may be predetermined ormay be based on certain considerations, which will be described indetail below. A display (not shown) associated with the first GD mayoutput an indication, such as a text or audio message, to the player toinform him that he qualifies for benefits. Next, the process checks tosee if the player has made a request to cash out 308. If so, then acashout ticket, or some other type of ticket or voucher, is printed 310and game play is terminated. The cashout ticket may include a readableand/or an encoded indication of the offer for the benefits, and may alsoinclude a readable and/or encoded indication of the payout amount. Sucha cashout ticket may also include the name or number of the second GD,and a map or other indication of where the second GD is located, forexample, in the casino, and/or in relation to the first GD. However, ifthe player did not request a payout in step 308, then the GD continuesto operate in regular mode 304.

B. Types of Benefits

Various types of benefits may be offered to players. For example, aplayer may be offered further game play on a second GD that is differentfrom the GD that he is currently playing, and/or that is in a remotelocation, or that is centrally located on the slot floor of a casino.For example, machine A awards a player with free or reduced-cost gameplay on Machine B, which may include an offer such as one free spin onthe “Big Bonus Wheel”, or one free spin on a standard Slot Machine B(which may be located in a central location on the slot floor, or may belocated in a different GD room of a casino). Other examples may includean offer for one bonus round entry, 3 minutes of free play on Machine Bwherein the player can collect any winnings over 20 coins, non-cashablecredits added to the meter of Machine B (wherein such credits must bewagered with on Machine B before they can be cashed out), one extrapayline for any payline being wagered on while using Machine B (whichmay include an added restriction, such as only up to 20 coins), oneextra coin bet for every coin bet while using Machine B (which mayinclude an added restriction, such as only up to 20 coins).

The offer to obtain a benefit may be couched as a “mystery prize”, forexample, the player may be offered a spin/bonus round assuring at leasta minimum value at the second GD. For example, the first GD may displaythe offer as: “You've won a mystery bonus! To claim it, visit Machine B”(which will then randomly determine the prize, perhaps by using acertain predetermined paytable, as will be described below). In anotherexample, while playing Machine A, the player is offered a benefit offive spins on Machine B, but doesn't know until he visits Machine B what“type” of spins they are. In other words, when the player visits MachineB to redeem the benefit, he learns that one or more of the followingparameters associated with the additional spins are in effect: (i)predetermined wager amounts; (ii) pre-selected denominations; (iii) oneor more paytables. For example, of the five spins, three might be“silver” level spins, which may provide a payout having a lower jackpotthen two “gold” level spins, and two might involve wager amounts of fivecredits each that are provided along with a standard paytable for thattype of game.

The player may also be offered a monetary payout. For example, Machine Amay award a player a payout that is redeemable on Machine B, which maybe a fixed payout such as redeeming 25 coins at Machine B. Alternately,the offer may be a cashable 20 coins at Machine A, or 20 cashable coinsand 5 non-cashable coins or credits (i.e., credits that must be used forwagering before they are cashed out) at Machine B. The offer may alsocomprise a variable payout. For example, the player may redeem between10 and 50 coins at Machine B, and the offer may be displayed as“Congratulations! You've won a payout between 10 and 50 coins”. In thisexample, the amount of coins paid to the player may be based on anexpected value (EV), which will be explained below, and the EV could bedetermined by Machine B or by some other device.

The player may also be offered a “perceived” variable and/or mysterypayout. For example, a payout can be determined by Machine A and notspecifically revealed to the player until he utilizes Machine B.

The offer for a benefit may also comprise one or more game playmodifications, or an award of special game play features. For example,Machine A may provide an offer to the player to obtain a feature ofMachine B (or Table Game A) that the may have otherwise beenunavailable, restricted, or require a fee. In another example, theplayer may be offered a probability table modification wherein theprobability of achieving one or more game outcomes using Machine B maybe favorably modified (e.g., it is now 5% more likely that the playerwill hit Machine B's jackpot). Another example could be increasing theprobability of achieving a “Jackpot” symbol on a third reel, or addingan extra “wild” card to a deck. In another example, the player may beoffered a payout modification. For example, “Bar-Bar-Bar” of Machine Bwill pay an extra 25 coins. The player may also be offered a gameresource and/or indicia that may improve the players' odds for obtainingwinning outcomes. For example, the player may be offered use of a “wild”card or symbol to use at any time in the main game, or a “hammer”resource to “nudge” or realign slot reels post-outcome, or one freelemon symbol (e.g., if player is able to collect four more to achieve atotal of five, a payout is awarded), or a “Key” resource that may beused to unlock a payout and/or a “treasure” that the player may winrandomly at a second GD.

In some embodiments, the offer may include various other types ofbenefits. For example, the player may be offered additional comp pointsand/or an increased rate of earning comp points at a second GD. Theplayer may also be offered “Loss Insurance”, which could mean, forexample, that 50% of the losses on the first 10 spins of a GD will bereimbursed. The player may also be offered multimedia options, forexample, the player is granted access to “one free song” of his choicethat may be downloaded an iPod® or to an MP3 player, or that could beplayed through directional audio speakers and/or hypersonic soundspeakers that are components of a GD.

In some embodiments, the benefit offered at the first GD may be wonsimultaneously at a second GD. For example, when playing a first GD,Machine A, if the player achieves “Bar+1-Bar+1-Bar+1,” the player isgranted a payout for “Bar-Bar-Bar” at Machine A, as well as a bonus spinat a second GD, Machine B. The method may also include a “Press YourLuck” payout at the first GD, where, for example, the player wins apayout at the first GD, and then has the option to “collect” the payoutor “press his luck” and risk it at a second GD for a potentially largerpayout. For example, the offer displayed to the player may recite:“Collect 50 coins now, or risk it all at Machine B for a mystery payoutinstead! Win up to 10,000 coins!” In another example, the offer mayread: “You've won a bonus round entry! You can play it now on thismachine, or bank it and play it later on any machine. Which would youlike to do?”

C. Receiving an Identifier at a Second GD

FIGS. 3B and 3C together depict a flowchart 350 illustrating anembodiment of a method for operating a second GD that is configured toprovide a benefit to a player. In this example, the second GD includes acomponent or components operable to receive one or more identifiers,such as a cashout ticket, voucher, RFID chip, customized coin, token,biometric indicator and the like, from players and to satisfy properrequests to redeem benefit offers made by a first GD. A proper requestmay include the insertion of a valid cashout ticket, a player trackingcard, a smart card, and/or providing other tangible media items orbiometric indicators to verify the identity of the player and/or theauthenticity of the cashout ticket. For example, the cashout ticket mayinclude a barcode or other coded indicia that is scanned by a deviceassociated with the second GD for certain security data. The use ofvarious types of security indicia, such as using micro-printing toprovide security code numbers on the cashout ticket, are known to thoseskilled in the art and will not be described in detail herein.

The second GD may be a bonus-round GD 212, for example, and may be partof the gaming system 200 shown in FIG. 2, or may be a stand-alonebonus-round only GD. The second GD may also be one of a plurality ofsecond GDs that the player may have the option to use, and these GDs maybe in communication with other GDs, GS's, and/or other devices, whichmay be configured in a thin-client architecture.

Referring to FIG. 3B, in step 352, the second GD receives a cashoutticket that a player inserts into a reader device and determines 354 ifthe cashout ticket includes an indication of at least one benefit. Ifnot, then the second GD determines 356 if any game play credits areavailable, and if so requests 358 the player to place a wager. In step360, the second GD determines if a wager has been placed, and if sooperates 362 in a regular mode as described above with regard to FIG.3A. If no game play credits are available in step 356, or if the playerdoes not place a wager in step 360, then the cashout ticket is rejected364 (i.e., by reversing a motor of the ticket reading device to drivethe cashout ticket back out of a receiving slot), and the player isprovided with an indication (i.e., a message on a display screen) of whythe cashout ticket was rejected.

Referring again to step 354, if the cashout ticket includes anindication of a benefit that has been awarded to the player, then asshown in FIG. 3C, the second GD also determines 366 if the cashoutticket additionally includes game play credits. If so, a message isdisplayed 378 to the player to select game play in the regular modeand/or bonus-round game play (i.e., redemption of the player benefit).(In some embodiments, the player may be permitted to choose to play onlyin regular mode, only in bonus-round game play mode, or to indicate thathe would like to initially play in one mode followed by play in theother mode.) In this example, the second GD next determines 380 if theplayer selected game play in the regular mode, and if so, the processbranches back to step 358 of FIG. 3B, wherein the player is asked toplace a wager so that regular game play can commence. If the player didnot chose regular game play in step 380, then the second GD displays 368a message to the player regarding the redemption of benefits. If theplayer selects 370 to redeem his benefits (i.e., in this example, one ormore spins of bonus-round game play), then the second GD determines 372if any conditions included in the offer for bonus round game play havebeen satisfied (i.e., Is the player redeeming his benefit at anacceptable second GD?; Is the player redeeming at an appropriate time ofday?; and the like conditions). If the conditions for bonus round gameplay have been satisfied, then the second GD provides 374 the bonusround game play due to the player, and updates 375 a benefits database.Such bonus round game play may include providing any prizes or payoutsthat the player earned and/or obtained by game play on the first GD.

If the player does not indicate a desire to redeem his bonus offer instep 370, or if one or more conditions of the offer have not beensatisfied in step 372, then the second GD rejects 376 the cashout ticketand displays a message to the player concerning why bonus-round gameplay is not being provided.

In some embodiments, as mentioned above, if a player inserts a cashoutticket that indicates both game play credits and bonus-round game playcredits, then the player may be permitted to operate the second GD inboth modes. For example, the second GD may be configured to provideregular mode game play first, followed by bonus-round game play, orvice-versa. But it should be understood that in some embodiments, thesecond GD may only be configured to provide bonus-round game play.

In some embodiments, data concerning the request for redemption ofbenefits, and the provision of such benefits may be stored by the secondGD or transmitted to another device for storage and/or for processing.For example, data concerning the type of, and the results of,bonus-round game play associated with a particular player may betransmitted to a casino server for storage in a database.

D. Gaming Results and Benefit Offers Database

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a game results and benefit offers table 400of a first GD, which is identified as GD-000001. The first GD maygenerate or obtain a random number between 1 and 10521 as shown in theRandom Number (Range) column 402. In this example, the random numbersthat are provided (FIG. 4A, column 402) are used to determine game playoutcomes (see column 404) as read across in rows R400-1 to R400-14, andare also utilized to determine when a player is due to receive an offerfor a benefit that is redeemable at a second GD. Thus, as shown in FIG.4B, the game results table may also include data corresponding tooutcome identifiers 406, redemption devices 408, and payouts 410.

For example, if the first GD generates or receives any random numberbetween 1 and 8570, then as shown in row R400-1, that outcome is anon-winning combination (see column 404) and there is no payout (seeFIG. 4B, column 410). But if a random number of 10332 is generated, forexample, then as shown in row R400-6, the player achieves an outcome of“CHERRY-ANY-CHERRY” that is redeemed by the first GD (GD-000001; column408) as a payout of 5 credits (column 410), and no benefits are offeredto the player. If a random number of 10509 is generated, then as shownin row R400-11, the player achieves a “WHEEL-WHEEL-WHEEL” outcome and isdue a payout of 40 credits (column 410), but must obtain that payout ata second GD (GD-000002; column 408). If the random number is 10517, thenas shown in R400-12, the player is offered a SPIN (a game play) at asecond GD labeled “Machine 3” (GD-000003).

If the random number is 10519, then as shown in R400-13, the player hasachieved an outcome d “BONUS-BONUS-BONUS” and is due a bonus round ofgame play at any of a plurality of GDs (i.e., column 408 indicates thatany of redemption devices GD-000004 to GD-000999 may be used). In thiscase, the bonus round yields an EV of 75 coins (column 410). The EV maybe interpreted in this case to mean that the player has a 33% chance toachieve a payout of 50 coins, a 33% chance to achieve a payout of 75coins, and a 33% chance to achieve a payout of 100 coins in a bonusround of gaming. In this example, a player may receive a cashout ticketthat indicates an identifier for each of the possible second GDs wherehe can redeem this benefit (additional game play).

In another example, if the random number is 10521, as shown in R400-14,the player achieved an outcome of “BONUS2-BONUS2-BONUS2” and is thus duea bonus round play at any of a plurality of GDs (GD-000004 to GD-000999)that yields an EV of 150 coins (column 410). An EV of 150 may beinterpreted to mean that the player has a 33% chance to achieve a payoutof 100 coins, a 33% chance to achieve a payout of 150 coins, and a 33%chance to yield a payout of 200 coins in bonus-round only play.

E. Determining Whether to Offer a Benefit

A determination that a player of a first GD may be due a benefitredeemable at a second GD may be based partially or wholly on variousnon-random influences or non-random factors. For example, a player mayqualify for a benefit based on such factors, to receive a benefitpredetermined by a first GD that is redeemable by a second GD, receive abenefit redeemable by a second GD that is not known until the playervisits the second GD, receive an increased likelihood of randomly beingawarded a benefit by a first GD that is redeemable at a second GD (e.g.,a combination of a random and a non-random factors). In an embodiment, aplayer may be playing against a “standard” paytable, until he“qualifies”, based on one or more non-random factors, to play againstthe above paytable including game results that yield prizes redeemableby second GDs. For example, as described below, a player may achieve acertain status (e.g., a “gold” level of a loyalty program), such thatvarious “second GD prizes” are added to the probability and/or gameresult tables of one or more GDs on which the player is playing and/orwill play.

Non-random factors may include player status and/or player data. Forexample, a player may qualify for a benefit by wagering more than acertain amount (e.g., over a duration of time or number of game plays),by achieving a certain loyalty program status level (e.g., “gold tier”),by generating a threshold amount of theoretical wins, by executing athreshold number of game plays, by achieving a number of a certain typeof outcomes (e.g., 10 consecutive losing outcomes, 15 winning outcomesin 30 minutes, etc.).

There may also be some time and date considerations that are factored inwhen trying to determine whether a player should be offered a benefit.For example, a player may qualify for a benefit only during a certaintime of day (e.g., “off-peak” hours such as between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.),only on certain days or dates (e.g., October 31^(st), Tuesdays throughThursdays only, etc.).

In some embodiments, game utilization and capacity data may be used todetermine whether or not to offer a benefit to a player. For example, aplayer may qualify for a benefit redeemable at Machine B (or Table GameA) based on “Second GD” factors such as: (i) if while playing Machine Ait is determined that a utilization metric associated with Machine B isbeneath a certain threshold, then offer the benefit; (ii) if whileplaying Machine A it is determined that a utilization metric associatedwith Machines A-Z is beneath a certain threshold (e.g., generally,traffic on the floor is light), then offer a benefit; (iii) if whileplaying Machine A it is determined that a utilization metric associatedwith Machines Q-Z is beneath a certain threshold (machines in room X, ormachines of a particular bank, and any such subset), then offer abenefit. Such benefit offers may be determined by a GS, for example,that is in communication with a plurality of GDs and one or more bonusround GDs.

Determining whether to offer a player of a first GD a benefit redeemableat a second GD may include certain “first GD” factors. For example, ifthe first GD and/or GDs surrounding a first GD (e.g. in a bank of GDslocated in a high-visibility area of a casino) are experiencing highutilization, players may be offered a benefit that directs them toother, lower traffic areas of the casino so that some of the “first” GDswhich are located in the high visibility area will free up for otherpotential players.

In another example, a player may not qualify for a benefit if, whileplaying a first GD it is determined that a utilization metric associatedwith that first GD is above a certain threshold (e.g., the player's playon that first GD is profitable and should not be interrupted). Thus,certain utilization metrics may be considered when determining whetherto offer a benefit to a player. For example, a binary valuation ofwhether or not a GD is currently being utilized, a ranking ofutilization of one GD with respect to one or more other GDs, an amountof time a GD has been utilized within a certain period of time (e.g.,four hours in the past day), a percentage of time a GD (or table game)has been utilized within a certain period of time (e.g., occupied 5% ofthe time in the past week), coin-in (e.g., more than a threshold amountof coins have been placed as wagers), theoretical win, and number and/orvalue of wagers per period of time (e.g., if there are over 10 pulls perminute on average at a bank of GDs, the system may inferentiallydetermine that such GDs are experiencing high utilization).Consequently, in some embodiments, utilization and/or capacity factorsmay be considered such that, generally, (i) players are not directed toredeem benefits at second GDs or bonus-round GDs that are otherwisebeing utilized and/or are otherwise profitable, and/or (ii) players arenot rewarded benefits when their play at “first” GDs is profitable.

In some embodiments, data concerning game performance, game history, andtrends may be utilized when determining whether to offer a player abenefit. For example, a player may qualify for a benefit if whileplaying a first GD, it is determined that one or more second GDs areassociated with various performance trends. For example, Machine B'sperformance may be considered to be “hot” (e.g., on a streak of payouts,and therefore may be perceived as “due” to payout in a player's mind) or“cold” (e.g., on a streak of losses, and therefore may be perceived as“due” to payout in a player's mind). A machine or game may be considered“hot” or “cold” based on such metrics as coins paid per unit time, thenumber of winning outcomes per unit time, the number of consecutiveoutcomes of a particular type (wins, losses), and the percentage of allwagers paid out as winnings (e.g., per unit time).

In some embodiments, a player “A” who has achieved one or more “winning”outcomes may be provided with benefits redeemable at a second GD that issituated next to another GD being used by player “B” who has not beenwinning, or who has suffered numerous losing outcomes. For example,player A goes to the second GD and inserts his cashout ticket obtainedfrom the first GD, and is awarded with bonus-round game play thatinvolves one or more winning outcomes. Player B, who is playing the GDnext to the second GD, can observe that winning outcomes are possible,which may encourage player B to continue game play at his GD.Alternatively, player A, who has achieved one or more “winning”outcomes, may be required to obtain his benefits at a second GD thatlocated away from player B, who has suffered loses, to avoidantagonizing or alienating player B. Such determinations may be made,for example, by utilizing and/or processing data of a player database,data of a benefits database, or some other data to optimize second GDusage with regard to winning players and/or with regard to losingplayers.

F. Limits on Benefits Offers

In some embodiments, certain restrictions or limits may be associatedwith the offer for, and the redemption of, the benefits. For example, abenefit may be redeemable only during certain time periods (e.g., beforethe end of the day, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., only on weekdays, etc.).In addition, the benefits may be gated or staggered. For example, if aplayer wins five free game plays on a second GD, Machine B, the playermay be permitted to redeem one per hour for the next five hours. Inanother example, with respect to one or more particular second GDs, thebenefits may only be redeemable at Machine B, or may be redeemable atany Machine B-Z (at any of a plurality of GDs of a certain type), or beredeemable at any GD in Room X, or be redeemable at any machine in BankX, or may be redeemable at any Manufacturer X-type GD. Other limitationsmay also be in effect, such as the benefit may only be available upuntil a certain amount of credits have been won or otherwise provided(e.g., “up to 20 free wagers will be placed for you”).

In some embodiments, various factors or rules may be considered whendetermining whether a player of a first GD is due a benefit redeemableat a second GD, such as at a Bonus-Round only GD. For example, a randomdetermination may be made, wherein a first GD randomly determines that aplayer is due a benefit redeemable at a second GD, by generating arandom number and comparing it to a predetermined game result table. (Itshould be understood, however, that another device, such as a GS mayperform any or all of such random number generation, table storage,and/or other functions, and may also transmit data or instructions thatare required to a second GD, for example.)

3. Storing Data Concerning Offers for Benefits

In some embodiments, an indication of a benefit may be stored, forexample, in an electronic memory. For example, an electronic database(e.g., a “benefits due” database) may be utilized to store an indicationthat a determination has been made that a player is due a benefit. Agaming device, a server, a smart card, a portable handheld gamingdevice, a customized chip, and the like may store such data.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a benefits database 500 that may storedata associated with benefits determinations. The benefits databaseincludes columns for data associated with a player identifier 502, the“outcome” 504 that yielded the benefit, an outcome identifier 506, alist of one or more redemption devices 508 at which the benefit may beredeemed, and the benefits that are due 510. Not all of this data may benecessary in some embodiments (e.g., simply “outcome identifier” and“player ID” may suffice), whereas other embodiments may include all ofthis data plus other data that is not shown. In particular, in rowR500-1, player P-000001 obtained a “Wheel-Wheel-Wheel” outcome on afirst GD, which received outcome identifier O-000011 and is due abenefit of 40 credits at a second GD identified as GD-000002. In rowR500-2, player P-0003541 obtained a “GD3-Spin, GD3 Spin, GD3 Spin”outcome on a first GD, which received outcome identifier O-000012 and isdue a benefit of one free Spin at a second GD identified as GD-000003.In row R500-3, player P-023452 obtained a “BONUS-BONUS-BONUS” outcome ona first GD, which received outcome identifier O-000013 and is due abenefit having an EV of 75 at any of a plurality of second GDsidentified as GD-000004 to GD-000999. In row R500-4, player P-009936obtained a “BONUS2-BONUS2-BONUS2” outcome on a first GD which receivedoutcome identifier O-000014 and is due a benefit having an EV of 150 atany of a plurality of second GDs in Bank A, Room Z. Lastly, as shown inrow R500-5, player P-002983 obtained a “KEY-KEY-KEY” outcome on a firstGD which received outcome identifier O-000015 and is due a benefit to“unlock prize” that can be accessed by using a second GD GD-001234.

Such indications may be stored, for example, on paper that may beprovided to the player. For example, a gaming device may print a“cashless gaming ticket” (e.g., immediately upon receiving a randomoutcome yielding such a benefit, or later when the player cashes out)that indicates that a benefit is due to the player.

In some embodiments, such indications may be stored in a centralizeddatabase as data that is associated with the player. In this case, inorder to claim the benefit, the player may need only go to the second GDand provide a player identifier to a reader device, and then the benefitstored in the central database is provided upon verification of theplayers' identity. For example, the player may be required to submit toprovide a thumb print to a biometric reader device, or to submit to aneye scan by an eye scanner, so that a biometric indication of hisidentity is provided. In some second GD reader device configurations,the player may be required to insert a player tracking card, and/or asmart card, and/or a magnetic strip card (such as a credit card) thatcan be read and the data obtained used to identify the player. Theidentity data would then be matched to the data stored in thecentralized database, such as a benefits database, and the benefit thenprovided at the second GD.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a “cashout ticket” 600 that includesthe name of the casino 602, a barcode 604, text 606 (which may includegraphics) that describes the benefit as being “One Free Spin of theMegaGame Slot Machine”, and a Credit Balance (shown in this example as156 Credits) if the player has a positive credit balance when heterminates play. In some embodiments, the indication of the benefitand/or any credit balance may also be encoded, for example, in a barcodesuch as the barcode 604 that may be read by a second GD and understood(without even accessing a database) as “one free spin”. In anotherexample, such a barcode may include data pointing to a database such asthe benefit database 500 of FIG. 5, and may encode further data such asa player identifier 502 and/or an outcome identifier 504. In addition,upon insertion of the cashout ticket, a second GD could access otherdata as needed.

An indication that the player has been awarded a benefit may also beprovided to the player via a chip, or by dispensing a customized coin ora token. For example, an RFID enabled casino chip may be dispensed by afirst GD, which when read by a second GD unlocks a benefit for theplayer, such as permitting the player to obtain additional game play atthe second GD. In some embodiments, the RFID casino chip and/or thecustomized coin and/or the token, includes a security code that triggersa payout or other benefits at a second GD, which may or may not be madeapparent to the player. Such a security code may be eroded, and it maybe possible for the player to use a device to decode the security codeto authenticate the benefit. For example, the player may be permitted toverify that the value of the benefit obtained at the second GD matchesthe benefit that was determined by the first GD (i.e., that the benefitwas not changed and/or was not determined by the second GD).

Other benefits due to the player may also be stored. For example, inaddition to storing benefits exclusively redeemable at second GDs (e.g.,spins won at a first GD that must be played at a second GD), a cashlessgaming ticket and/or a database may indicate benefits (e.g., gamecredits) won by players that may not have such redemption or playrestrictions associated with them. For example, a cashless gaming ticketmay encode and/or point to a database record that indicates “free” gameplay and/or promotional (non-cashable) credits that a player is entitledto redeem at one or more appropriate “second” devices, and (ii) cashablecredits that the player has already accumulated through game play.

4. Indicating Award of Benefits

An indication may be output by the first GD that the player is due acertain or uncertain type of benefit. For example, a display of the GDmay provide the message: “You've won a number of game credits!” insteadof a generic message such as “You're won a prize!”. In addition, theindication may be even more specific, for example: “You've won 65 gamecredits!” The indication of one or more benefits may have a certain oruncertain value, for example, “You've won a mystery bonus blackjackbet!” versus “You've won a free $5 blackjack bet!” versus “You'reguaranteed 5 credits but can win up to 10,000!” versus “You've won anamount of cash between $100 and $200”. Thus, depending on whether a typeof benefits, number of benefits, or value of the benefits has yet beendetermined by a first GD or by a server (or will later be determined bya second GD or by a server such as a casino server), various informationmay be output as is appropriate. Moreover, as described, in someembodiments, data about a benefit (such as a value of a monetary payout)may be determined by a first GD, but not revealed to a player until heredeems the benefit at a second GD (e.g., a “perceived mystery” prize).

An indication may include information regarding redemption of thebenefit, such as the type and/or location of the applicable redemptiondevices. For example, instructions could be output to the players' cellphone, and/or a first GD may output a “map” that directs the player to asecond GD (or group of second GDs) at which a benefit may be redeemed.Such a map may be printed and dispensed to the player from the GD, andmay be of the floor plan of the slot floor of a casino, including theplayers' current position (at the first GD), and a route to follow tofind the second GD or bonus-round only GD where the benefit can beredeemed. Alternately or in addition, an alert may be output to a casinohostess, for example, instructing the hostess to guide the player to thesecond GD so that the player can accept the offer for the benefit.

The indication of the benefits may also include restrictions associatedwith redemption. For example, a first GD may output a time frame duringwhich a benefit may be redeemed at a second GD.

The performance and/or history data associated with various potentialredemption devices (second GDs or one or more bonus-round only devices)may also be presented to the player. For example, “Machine B hasachieved 10 consecutive winning outcomes, Machine C has achieved 0consecutive winning outcomes”; or “Machine B's last payout: 150 coins,Machine C's last payout: 10 coins”. Players may then use suchinformation to base a decision to redeem a benefit at a particular GD ifthey feel it may influence their luck.

The player may also be provided with an indication that includes anexplanation of why the player has been provided with the benefit. Forexample, “Congratulations, because you're a Platinum Tier casino player,not only do you win 100 credits right now for hitting Bar-Bar-Bar, butyou also win a free bonus spin on the Mega Wheel near the casinoentrance”.

Such indications of achieving an award or a benefit may be output forthe player in any number of various ways. FIG. 7 illustrates a display700 of a first GD, which may be a video screen, a flat panel display, orsome other display device. In this example, the main portion 702 of thedisplay screen shows that a “WHEEL-WHEEL-WHEEL” outcome has beenobtained along a payline 704. A message 706 has been superimposed on thescreen 702 that recites:

“Congratulations! You've won a spin of the Mega Bonus Wheel in thecenter of the room. You are guaranteed to win at least 5 credits, andcan win up to 10,000 credits if you hit the jackpot! Insert your cashoutticket from this machine into the Mega Bonus Wheel to redeem your spin.”Also shown is a credits meter 708 that indicates that the player has 121credits at this first GD, and a “Mega Bonus Wheel Spins” meter 710 thatindicates that the player has earned one such spin thus far. The playercan elect to cashout at this time and use his cashout ticket at the MegaBonus Wheel GD (which may be a bonus-round only GD), or continue playingthe first GD and cashout at a later time.

Other indicators could be used instead of, or in addition to a videoscreen. For example, an LED indicator such as an LED meter that tracksthe benefits that a player wins while playing the first GD may incrementby the number of benefits won. Further, an auxiliary display device forcommunicating such benefits, for example, may be used in someembodiments. For example, a “second GD benefit tracking hardware module”may be available as a retrofit device that could be sold to casinooperators to be fitted to existing machines. For example, a separate LEDmeter may be added on top of each slot machine or other type of GD onthe casino slot floor to track the “Spins of the Big Bonus Wheel” thatare awarded to players.

Speakers (audio output) may be used to indicate the award of benefits toa player. For example, any or all of the information discussed aboveconcerning the indication of a benefits award may be alternately oradditionally output by audio speakers (which may be in a heads et wornby a player) in an aural manner. For example, a sound file stored inmemory of a first GD executes, such that a voice proclaiming,“Congratulations, you've won a free bonus round on the Big BonusMachine” is heard by the player.

A paper indication may be produced, such that any or all of the aboveinformation may be alternately or additionally output on a papersubstrate, such as a cashless gaming ticket, as previously described. Inaddition, any or all of the above benefits award information may bealternatively or additionally output on another type of substrate,component or device, for example, in an RFID-enabled casino chip or cointhat could be dispensed from the coin hopper of the first GD.

An indication of a benefits award may also be electronically transmittedto another device. For example, a GS or casino server and/or a first GDmay transmit an indication to a server such as a central slot serverwhere the information is then stored. In some embodiments, a slot servermay transmit such benefits data to a second server. For example, dataregarding benefits due to a player is transmitted to a Web server, andthe player may be permitted to view such information online. In anotherexample, the benefits data may be transmitted to a handheld device(e.g., a handheld gaming device) that may be associated with a player,such that the player can track benefits that are due (and possiblybenefits that have been redeemed). Such benefits data may also betransmitted and/or accessed by authorized casino personnel or by aregulator, for example, by using a portable device, or by surfing to asecure website and entering an access code or security code.

5. Requests to Redeem Benefits

A request to redeem a benefit awarded by a first GD by using a second GDmay include receiving one or more inputs (e.g., from a player using thesecond GD) that indicate redemption is desired. For example, asdescribed above, the player may first input a cashout ticket and thenactuate a button, or may press a portion of a touch-screen. For example,a touch screen display may include a message: “Press Here to Redeem ABonus Round Entry” with a button icon. In another example, a player maybe invited to press a “spin” or “deal” button, which signals that theplayer would like to redeem a benefit such as promotional credits. Insome embodiments, the player may also be permitted to configure wageramounts and/or one or more paylines, such that the request may not onlyindicate (i) that the player would like to redeem a benefit, but alsoindicates (ii) how many of the benefits the player would like to redeem(for example, the player may be prompted to select a combination ofwagers per payline and a number of paylines to activate to equal 23promotional credits).

In some embodiments, the availability and appearance of such “actuation”functions is constantly available. That is, a second GD may be a“Bonus-round only” device that includes hard wired buttons and/oroptions of a touch-screen that a player may always access. In someembodiments, the actuation functions are embedded within a menu that aplayer must proactively access (e.g., a button icon may be visible atall times or player may only gain access by pressing a “menu” button).In some other embodiments, the function only becomes available or “popsup” once an identifier associated with the benefit or some other triggeris received.

FIG. 8 illustrates a touch-screen display 800 of a second GD that has“popped up” after the player inserted a cashout ticket to requestredemption of a benefit, which in this case is a bonus spin. Forexample, the cashout ticket that was inserted indicates that the playeris due a spin of a “Giant Bonus Wheel”. In response, the screen of thesecond GD configures itself to disply a “Spin” icon 802, a cashout icon804, a “Mega Bonus Wheel Spins” credit meter 808, and a credits meter810. The player may press the spin icon 802 to obtain his benefit award,or may press the “Cashout” icon 804 to obtain a payout of the 121credits due to him. If the player presses “Spin”, the screen may againreconfigure itself to present a spinning disc 812 having a plurality ofpie-shaped portions, each of which may be labeled for example, withdifferent possible winning outcomes (not shown).

The second GD may require receipt of an identifier associated with thebenefit and/or with the player. For example, a cashless gaming ticketthat includes a barcode that encodes an identifier associated with abenefit due to a player may be required. The barcode may encode an“outcome identifier” and/or a “player identifier”, and may also encodethe amount of standard credits due to the player. In some embodiments,as described above, receipt of a player tracking card may be required,which may include an encoded player ID, such that data regardingbenefits may be referenced (e.g., via a database such as the benefitsdatabase 500 of FIG. 5). In some embodiments, receipt of a code via aninput device may be required to be entered via a keypad, ortouch-screen, and the like. Examples of codes that may be requiredinclude a player ID, or a player's PIN number. In some embodiments,receipt of a biometric identifier such as data from a fingerprint scan,or receipt of a signal from an RFID-enabled casino chip or receipt of acustomized coin, may be required. In addition, in some embodiments, morethan one input may be required (e.g., a player tracking card must beused in addition to entering a PIN; a cashout ticket must be inserted,followed by pressing a “spin” button; and the like).

6. Determining Whether to Allow Redemption

In some embodiments, a determination is made as to whether to allow aplayer to redeem a benefit. For example, redemption of a benefit maygenerally include: (a) determining an identifier associated with abenefit (e.g., an identifier received while playing a first GD), (b)determining parameters associated with the benefit (e.g., redemptionrestrictions associated with a benefit), and (c) determining whether theplayer is allowed to redeem a benefit based on certain parameters. Forexample, permit redemption if a player inserts a cashless gaming ticket,and the ticket encodes an “outcome ID” such that a game result database400 of FIG. 4 and/or a benefits due database 500 of FIG. 5 can beaccessed to identify a payout and/or a benefit due in association withthe outcome ID. In another example, a player simply inserts his playertracking card, triggering a second GD to access the “benefits due”database 500 (or a “benefits due” record of a player database) andprovide the player with an opportunity to signal his desire to redeemone or more benefits that are due (e.g., a message may appear thatrecites: “Your Player Tracking Card indicates you are due a free spin onthis machine. Would you like to redeem it?”). In another example, theplayer enters a PIN code and a list of benefits that are due to himappears on a display screen. He then may be able to use a touch-screento indicate that he'd like to redeem one or more particular benefits(e.g., a bonus round entry) from the list. In another example, a playerplaces a 23-coin wager and presses a spin button, signaling he'd like toredeem 23 promotional (“non-cashable”) credits.

Generally, determining parameters associated with a benefit may compriseaccessing a benefits due database or reading a ticket to determine anaward value that may be associated with certain parameters, such as thetype and/or value and/or the number of benefits available. For example,a “benefits due” field of a benefits due database may indicate “75(EV),” which may be understood to mean that a player is due a game playthat probabilistically yields an average payout of 75 coins, or mayindicate “27 promo credits,” indicating a player is owed 27 non-cashablecashable promotional credits. The database may also include entries thatindicate “1 bonus round entry,” meaning that the player is entitled toplay one bonus round, and “Unlock 1 prize,” meaning that the player may“unlock” one prize awarded at a second GD that the player otherwise maynot have been able to collect.

In one embodiment, benefits may have different values when redeemed. Forexample, a benefit may be good for 1 bonus round of Machine A, or twobonus rounds of Machine B, or may have different values at differenttimes of day (e.g., the benefit is worth 20 credits if redeemed today,or 25 if redeemed tomorrow). Benefits may only be redeemable at certainredemption devices, such as particular GDs located in particularlocations, at any of a group of particular devices, or at a group of GDshaving any or all of certain predetermined characteristics that mayinclude a location, a manufacturer, a game type, an identifier, and adenomination (e.g., wager amount).

As mentioned above, the player may be restricted to redeeming a benefitduring a certain time period. For example a player may only be able toredeem a benefit during a particular time of day, on a particular date,and/or on one or more days of the week. In some embodiments, asexplained above, a determination of whether to permit the player toredeem benefits may be based on one or more parameters, and a programmay check an identifier associated with the benefit against variousparameters and/or restrictions. In particular, such a process may befollowed so that redemption is allowed only if, for example, theredemption request is for an available type of benefit. For example, ifthe player does not have a benefit of the same type available forredemption (e.g. the player requests a bonus round entry but a databaseindicates the player is entitled to only non-cashable credits, but not abonus round entry), then the redemption request may be denied ordisallowed.

The bonus request must be for an available quantity of benefits (e.g.,if the player requests to wager 25 non-cashable credits but has only 13remaining, the redemption request is denied). Further, it may berequired that the redemption request be received from an appropriate orparticular device (e.g., if a player attempts to redeem a benefit usingGD-012978 and the only permissible redemption device is GD-000004,redemption is denied). In some embodiments, the redemption request forbenefits must also be received during an appropriate time period (e.g.,if the only time period restriction is “Not valid Thursday throughSunday” and the redemption request occurs on Tuesday, the redemption isallowed).

In some embodiments, the player may have the option to redeem a benefitby choosing between a plurality of second GDs, or by making a request toexchange the offer for a benefit for a different benefit offer. Forexample, if another player is using a particular second GD, or if theplayer does not like the theme or style of the second GD, the player maybe permitted to obtain game play at another type of GD in order toredeem the offer for benefits. In such a case, a casino representativemay become involved, for example, allowing the player to swap hiscashout ticket containing the original offer for the benefit for avoucher that can be used at a different, second GD that is availableand/or that appeals to the player. In some embodiments, if a playerinserts his cashout ticket in a second GD that was not one of thechoices of the original offer, the player may still be allowed to obtainthe benefits at that second GD if, for example, a central server, casinoserver, or another controller device has enough data to determine thatsuch a request is reasonable and/or equitable. Such a determination maybe made based on various factors, such as player data, time of data, andthe utilization and/or availability of GDs, the utilization and/oravailability of bonus round GDs.

If redemption is disallowed, it may trigger an output device of a secondGD to output a message. For example, a display screen may read “Sorry,you have no more bonus round entries”, and/or speakers may output avoice saying “Sorry, you have no more bonus round entries”, and/or aTITO device may reject a cashout ticket. For example, if a playerinserts a cashout ticket or another type of paper voucher into a ticketreader of a second GD, the process may include (i) receipt of theticket, (ii) reading an identifier associated with a specific benefitindicated by a barcode, (iii) accessing a database to determineparameters and/or any restrictions associated with the identifier, (iv)determining that one or more of the parameters and/or restrictions aresuch that player is not allowed to redeem, and then (v) rejecting theticket by reversing the motor of the ticket input slot, so that theticket is pushed back out of the slot so that it can be retrieved by theplayer.

In some embodiments, the player may request to redeem a benefit whenmultiple benefits are due. When the player indicates a desire to redeemone or more benefits (e.g. by inserting a cashout ticket indicating aplurality of benefits are due, by accessing a menu screen for redeemingbenefits, etc.), then a process may be implemented to satisfy theplayers' desire. For example, a GD may be configured to (i) receive arequest to redeem a benefit, (ii) output a list of the plurality ofbenefits due to the player, and (iii) receive a player selection forreceipt of one or more benefits to be redeemed. For example, a playerinserts a cashout ticket, and then a database (e.g., a benefits duedatabase) is accessed to determine what benefits are due. If multiplebenefits are due, then a list is output to the player via a touch-screendevice, and a message such as “You may redeem any of the following: Onebonus round entry; 36 promotional credits” is displayed. The player thenselects which benefits to redeem, and the player may have the ability toidentify the type and/or the number of benefits to redeem. For example,the player may select “promotional credits” and may redeem any amount upto 36 (and the player may be able to input a specific amount of creditsor press a button that indicates “take all 36”).

In some embodiments, a second GD may be configured to allow for variousfunctions concerning the redemption of benefits. For example, a playermay be permitted to execute game play provided as a second-GD-specificbenefit. For example, the player can insert a “free bonus round” ticketand play a bonus round, or can redeem “promotional credits” to play anygame that is offered by that GD, and the like. In some embodiments, thebonus-round is a “special” bonus-round only offered by the GD and/or forplayers redeeming such cross-machine benefits. In some embodiments, theplayer can simply “cash-out” a predetermined payout, or the player canredeem various other benefits as described (e.g., utilize game featuresprovided as second-machine benefits, and the like).

In some embodiments, the game play is not necessarily related toredemption of benefits. For example, in one embodiment the player canexecute game play provided as a second-machine-specific benefit and/orany player can purchase that at will. In an example, given Machine A, afirst player can insert a $20 bill and play the machine at will, and/ora second player can insert a cashout ticket indicating he is entitled toredeem 25 non-cashable credits on Machine A (which are creditspreviously awarded by Machine B) and play the same type(s) of game(s).In some embodiments, players may utilize input/output devices to insertcurrency, to cashout credit balances by receiving currency or tickets,and the like.

In some embodiments, the player may be able to recall or replay orre-display the “benefit-triggering” game results from the first GD. Forexample, the second GD that is going to be used to redeem the benefit“won” or “earned” at the first GD may be configured to “replay” the gameresult, which yielded the benefit. For example, the player plays SlotMachine A and the reels spin and the player achieves a result of “BonusB-Bonus B-Bonus B”. The player then receives a cashout ticket encoding“Bonus B-Bonus B-Bonus B”, and inserts that ticket into Machine B toredeem the benefit. Machine B decodes the ticket and then outputs(“replays”) the sequence of reels spinning and resolves to the “BonusB-Bonus B-Bonus B” winning result. In some embodiments, all that isrequired to achieve the replay of the winning result is the insertion ofthe identifier such as the cashout ticket, and thus the player couldpresent the cashout ticket to a friend or family member as a gift, forexample, so that the person could experience a “winning” outcome. Inthis embodiment, it may also be possible for the person to use thebenefit awarded to the player, for example, to obtain the bonus-roundgame play.

Various output devices can be utilized at a second GD to replay thewinning results, such as a display screen, speakers, and the like.“Static” graphics, such as images of slot machine symbols can also berecalled, or a video presentation recreating the original spin,including animation could be presented. In some embodiments, anindication is also provided that makes it clear that the presentation isa replay and not a new game result, so that players cannot complain whenadditional benefits are not provided. For example, a text message may bedisplayed “This is a replay—no further benefits will be provided”, or insome embodiments the text may recite “First, let's replay how you wonyour first bonus spin” and/or a voice may state “Here's your replayspin”. Additionally, data regarding the generation of the original,benefit-triggering game result may be accessed and an indicationprovided of the device that generated result, and the time and/or datestamp of when the result was generated.

In some embodiments, the replay may be output upon player request. Forexample, a message may appear that recites “You're entitled to redeemone bonus round entry. But first, would you like to see a replay of howyou won your bonus round?” In some embodiments, the replay is playedautomatically, such as before each benefit is redeemed.

In some embodiments, certain functions are restricted that are notrelated to the redemption of the second-machine-specific benefits. Forexample, redemption of such benefits may be required before some otherfunction is allowed. For example, in order to cashout out any amount of(cashable) credits, a player must first redeem his free bonus roundentry. For example, a player may have a balance of both “credits” and“spins,” which he may have arrived at by inserting a cashless gamingticket that includes encoded (i) regular credits a player may be due tocash out and (ii) other benefits, as described. Thus, the second GD mayrequire that any or all other benefits must be redeemed before cashoutis allowed (e.g., the balance of “spins” must be zero, or at least one“spin” must be played, etc.). Such operation prevents players from using“bonus only” machines or second GDs that are geared toward redemption ofelaborate bonus presentations for simply cashing out, etc. Otherfunctionality may only be available based on other factors such as atime and/or date, player status, device utilization data, and otherdata.

7. Providing the Benefit

After determining whether to allow redemption of a benefit, the benefitmay be provided and may include game play and/or a predetermined payoutthat has not yet been revealed. For example, a meter that tracksavailable “bonus spins” is incremented by one, such that the player maypress a “spin” button that may trigger the second device (and/or server)to generate a random result, or a player is launched directly into abonus round (e.g. the player is immediately presented with threetreasure chests from which he must choose one), and based on theplayer's selection, he is provided with an award, or a slot machineexecutes five spins automatically that yield a predetermined result of75 total coins, or a credit meter associated with “non-cashable credits”is incremented by a number of non-cashable credits owed to a player.

A second GD, a server such as a casino server, or some other device maydetermine a value associated with the benefit. For example, the valuemay be predetermined by a first GD, and a second GD then looks up avalue stored in a database in association with a particular identifierthat the player provided (e.g., a player ID read from an inserted playertracking card, or a barcode containing such data read from a cashlessgaming ticket, etc.) to provide the predetermined value. For example, avalue of 80 credits may be provided as the result of one or more slotmachine spins (e.g., one spin resulting in a win of 80 credits, twospins each resulting in a win of 40 credits). In another example, afirst GD may randomly determine the range of a payout (e.g., $100 to$300), and a second GD randomly determines the specific amount withinthe range (e.g., $174), so that both the first GD and the second GD havea role in determining the payout amount.

In some embodiments, the award value may be an Expected Value (EV) thatis indicated by an identifier. For example, a barcode and/or a record ofa database indicate an EV of “+75 credits.” The second GD may thenprovide that EV, by providing a game play that has the same EV. Forexample, in an embodiment, the EV is a function of (i) probabilities ofachieving certain results of a set of results, and (ii) payoutsassociated with those results, and each set of results with differentprobabilities and or payouts may have a different EV. Therefore, in someembodiments, a second GD may choose an appropriate set of resultsagainst which to randomly determine a result, based on an indicated EV.For example, a plurality of sets of results (e.g., which in someembodiments may be a plurality of different “paytables”) each can beassociated with an EV (e.g. a first set of results yields an averagepayout of x, a second set of results yields an average payout of y, andthe like). Thus, in a specific example, if an EV of “+75 credits” ispresented, a second GD may access a paytable (e.g., from a database ofpaytables stored in memory) that has an EV of 75 credits (e.g., yields apayout of 75 credits on average per game play).

In some embodiments, more than one paytable might yield the same EV. Insuch a case, the second GD may randomly select one paytable from aplurality of paytables offering the same EV. In another example, a“bonus redemption only” device may include a larger than normalelectromechanical wheel. Thus, when such a device receives an indicationof an EV due to a player, the probabilities of randomly achievingvarious “sections” on the wheel are adjusted such that the spin providesthe EV that is due.

In some embodiments, a “Paytable” may be indicated by an identifier,which may be viewed as a different way to achieve a result similar tothe results discussed above. For example, rather than receive an “EV”which is then correlated to one or more paytables, an identifier for aspecific paytable may be directly indicated (e.g., by a cashless gamingticket, an outcome ID, another code, etc. received by a second GD). Forexample, a cashless gaming ticket may encode an identifier of“PT-1989212”, so that a particular paytable is selected against which togenerate one or more random results (e.g., obtained from a database). Inanother example, the award value is predetermined, so that, for examplethe a player is provided with a predetermined payout that has alreadybeen revealed (e.g., the player inserts a cashless gaming ticket into asecond GD and receives a payout of 10 coins, as advertised.)

In an embodiment, a player is provided with an entry into a bonus roundredeemable at a second GD, at which the player may be presented withvarious “masked” awards, as is known in the art. For example, in thebonus round, four boxes are presented, each labeled with a “questionmark” icon. The player may then choose a box and be provided with acorresponding award. For example, a first box may be associated with apayout of $0, a second box with a payout of $5, a third box with apayout of $10, and a fourth box with a payout of $50. Accordingly, if aplayer selects the fourth box (e.g., chooses “Box #4” of four boxeslabeled with a question mark), he may be awarded with a payout of $50.In some embodiments, the player provides a tangible medium, such as acashless gaming ticket, that is read by a reading device of the secondGD, and based on data indicated by the medium, the second gaming devicemay determine a set of awards which may be presented to the player insuch a format (e.g., four awards which may be obfuscated and presentedto the player, such that the player may select one). For example, thecashless gaming ticket may indicate “Bonus Pool BP-000101,” meaning thatthe second GD may access a database that stores prize amounts inassociation with different bonus pools (sets of payouts). In thismanner, a player may be provided with an EV by means of the averageamount paid to players selecting an award from a given pool indicated bya cashout ticket. Continuing the above example, the EV associated withthe bonus round entry may be $16.25 (i.e., the average of the payouts,which in this case is the sum of the four payouts divided by four($0+$5+$10+$50)/4)). Thus, a first GD may determine an EV due to aplayer by determining a pool of awards from which a player may selectone or more (it being assumed the play has an equal probability ofselecting each of the awards, as their position may be “shuffled” frombonus round to bonus round), and a second GD may output the pool ofawards in a masked or obfuscated manner (i.e., such that the award valueis not known by a player until he selects an icon), allowing the playerto select one or more awards in particular.

In some embodiments, a player is provided with a game feature. Forexample, a second GD receives a particular ID and/or code and therebythe probability of achieving one or more outcomes of Machine B isfavorably modified. For example, a probability metric for achieving ajackpot outcome that is stored in a database may be effectivelyincreased by 5% (e.g., more random numbers are added to a range ofrandom numbers that would yield the result). In another example, asecond GD receives a particular ID and/or code and thereby “Bar-Bar-Bar”of Machine B will pay an extra 25 coins (e.g., the payout database ismodified to add 25 extra coins to a payout).

In some embodiments, the benefit may include provision of a gameresource and/or indicia. For example, one or more databases may beupdated to indicate that the player is entitled to one or more of a“wild” card or symbol to use at any time in main game, a “Hammer”resource to “nudge” or realign slot reels post-outcome, one free lemonsymbol (e.g., if the player is able to collect four more to achieve atotal of five, a payout is awarded), and a “Key” resource to unlockpayout/treasure player may win randomly at second device. Various othertypes of benefits may also be awarded. For example, the player may beentitled to receive one or more units of media content (e.g., a unit maybe a free song), comp points, gift certificates, and the like. Theplayer may be provided with access codes or other means to claim suchbenefits, for example, a code may be provided that indicates a databasecontaining a list of free songs from which the player can choose.

8. Additional Descriptions of Some Embodiments

In some embodiments, the first GD and the second GD is the same gamingdevice. In such a case, the player may win a benefit at the first GD,but rather than be forced to redeem it at a second GD, he may be givenan offer to redeem it at the same, first GD, at a later time. Forexample, player achieves “Sunset-Sunset-Sunset” and then is presentedwith the message: “25 coins have been sent to your bank! Collect them onthis machine between 5:00 and 7:00 this evening. Insert your playertracking card and press the ‘Banked Payouts’ button during this time tocollect your coins”.

In some embodiments, a partial outcome may be provided at a first GD,and the outcome must be finished or resolved at a second GD. Forexample, a player gets “Bar-Bar-?” at a first GD, and must go to asecond GD to achieve the third symbol. As stated above, the third symbolmay be (i) determined by the first GD and simply not communicated untilplayer visits second GD, or may be (ii) determined by the second GD.Such an outcome may be a “bonus” in addition to another outcome. Forexample, the player spins reels at the first GD and obtains a“Cherry-Cherry-Cherry” outcome (winning 20 coins or 20 credits), whichtriggers a “bonus spin” that resolves to “Bar-Bar-?” which the playermust complete at a second GD.

In some embodiments, the player may be permitted to convert certain“credits” to “game plays”. Referring again to FIG. 8, a player of asecond GD may have a balance of “1 spin” and “121” credits (e.g., suchthat after the player redeems a “spin,” any winnings may be added to thebalance of “credits”). Instead of cashing out, the player may bepermitted to use such credits to “purchase” spins or game plays providedby the second GD, and this may be a similar process to placing a wager,but the price of a spin and/or game play may be variable. For example,the price of purchasing a spin may be based on such parameters as playerstatus, time of day, and capacity and/or “revenue management” factors.

In some embodiments, a player is not permitted to convert credits at asecond GD to game play (e.g., a casino only wants players to use the“big bonus wheel” for redemption of spins won at other GDs and does notpermit the purchase of additional spins). If a player were able toconvert credits earned at a first GD to game play at the second GD, thena bottleneck may be caused. This may occur when multiple players aredirected to the second GD to obtain their benefits, but a first playeris “hogging” the machine because he has a large (i) balance of gameplays and/or (ii) balance of credits. This type of situation may beundesirable for a casino, for example, that desires to cycle a varietyof players through the “Mega Bonus Wheel” GD in the center of the slotfloor to create excitement and/or to encourage players to playwageringgames.

In some embodiments, a casino may desire to drive players “back” toother GDs from the second GD or “Bonus-round only” machine. Thus,several methods may be implemented to force or to motivate players torecycle second GD winnings back onto the slot floor, especially in caseswherein a casino limits and/or prefers players to use a “big bonuswheel” or other bonus-round only device for redemption of spins won atfirst GDs. For example, the benefits are determined or revealed by thesecond GD, but may only be redeemed at a third GD. The third GD may beany standard slot machine, or may be the same as the first GD, or may besome other specified device or group of devices. For example, the playerplays Generic Slot A, wins a spin on Bonus Machine B and then the spinon Bonus Machine B yields 30 non-cashable credits playable on any of theGeneric Slots Machines A-Z.

In some embodiments, after a benefit has been achieved at a first GD,the player uses a second GD, which determines or reveals the benefit,which may be redeemed for value at the second GD, but may be redeemedfor more value at a third GD. For example, player plays Generic Slot A,wins a spin on Bonus Machine B. When he inserts a ticket into BonusMachine B, various meters indicate:

Spins 1 Credits won 0 Or Generic Slot C credits 0In this case, the player then redeems the spin, and (see table below)wins (i) 20 credits redeemable at any machine (e.g., can be redeemedright then at Bonus Machine B), or (ii) 20 cashable credits plus 5non-cashable credits at Generic Slot C (e.g., motivating the player toutilize Generic Slot C, which may be new, under-utilized, etc.)

Spins 0 Credits won 20 Or Generic Slot C credits 20 + 5 promo credits!

In some embodiments, the player may be required to re-visit the first GDto obtain his benefit. And in an example, the first GD may be “lockedup” or “reserved” in the interim so that no other patrons can use thefirst GD while that player is at the second GD.

In some embodiments, the player may be able to opt-out of receiving anyoffers for benefits while playing a first GD. For example, a menu optionmay be presented to the player when he first initiates game play thatincludes one or more player preferences or options, and the player mayselect an option that prevents benefit offers from being made to thatplayer while he is engaged with playing the first GD. For example, ahandicapped player may prefer to play a particular GD located in aneasily accessible area of the slot floor and does not want to have toleave that GD in order to redeem an offer for a benefit at a second GD.

In some embodiments, the second GD is not a gaming device. For example,the first GD may provide a benefit for one or more hands at a blackjacktable, or at some other card game offered by a casino, or one or moreoutcomes of some other type of wagering game. In addition, the playercould win entry to a “live game show” that includes a host, that may beheld within a casino, or win entry to another type of event that may ormay not be sponsored by the casino.

In some embodiments, the player may be able to “bank” benefits for lateruse with a “Video Bonus Round Redemption Machine”. For example, a playerplays various slot machines throughout the day, and from time to timewins bonus game play entries. The player can choose to either “play” thebonus game plays at the time they are won or “bank” them. In somesituations, the player may be required to “bank” them (e.g., bonus roundentries may be issued by mechanical spinner-style machines, allowingthem to offer exciting video presentations that are executable by otherdevice, that the mechanical devices cannot display). Thus, for example,at the end of the day, a player may have banked 10 bonus round entries.These entries may be stored in his player account, such that the playermight visit a “Bonus Round Redemption” machine, insert his playertracking card, and receive a balance of “10 rounds”. To redeem suchbonus round entries, the player may navigate a menu of skins or stylesor themes or formats on a display screen and select one in associationwith an entry. For example, if player is due 10 rounds, he might havethe option to select a different format after each round, or select aformat that will be utilized for a plurality of rounds. In someembodiments, any “skin” may just be different way of communicating avalue player will ultimately win.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example 900 of a user interface that may bepresented to a player by a “Video Bonus Round Redemption Machine”. Thedisplay includes a bonus rounds credit meter 902, a credits meter 904, amessage display 906, and a plurality of “Bonus Style” icons 908 to 918that may be selected by the player to choose a style. The screen mayalso be configured with a “preview” button that may be pressed by theplayer to obtain a preview of static and/or dynamic multimedia contentthat could be output in association with a format that shows the playerhow his bonus rounds would appear. In some embodiments, the bonus roundsoffered by the second GD may be thematically tied to the first GD orgroup of GDs on which the player won the benefits. For example, a playermay have “banked” a bonus round while playing the “Crazy Voodoo Slots”GD, and then later “banked” another bonus round while playing the“Majestic Mountain Slots” GD. Accordingly, when the player visits a“Video Bonus Round Redemption Machine” and indicates he'd like to redeemone or more bonus rounds (e.g., inserts his player tracking card), themachine may output a “Crazy Voodoo Slots”-themed bonus round, followedby a “Majestic Mountain Slots”-themed bonus round. In someimplementations, the format or style outputs do not need to be executedin the order in which they were won or earned. Rather, a player might beprompted with a menu, such as the menu shown in FIG. 9, wherein the menuis populated with specific bonus rounds the player had previous won.

9. Rules of Interpretation

Numerous embodiments have been described, and are presented forillustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intendedto be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely applicable tonumerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure herein.These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical,software, electrical and other changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled inthe art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced withvarious modifications and alterations. Although particular features ofthe present invention may be described with reference to one or moreparticular embodiments or figures that form a part of the presentdisclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specificembodiments of the invention, it should be understood that such featuresare not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments orfigures with reference to which they are described. The presentdisclosure is thus neither a literal description of all embodiments ofthe invention nor a listing of features of the invention that must bepresent in all embodiments.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “theembodiment”, “the embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “anexample embodiment”, “at least one embodiment”, “one or moreembodiments” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not necessarilyall) embodiments of the present invention(s)” unless expressly specifiedotherwise. The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereofmean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The term “consisting of” and variations thereof mean “including andlimited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive. The enumerated listing of items does notimply that any or all of the items are collectively exhaustive ofanything, unless expressly specified otherwise. The enumerated listingof items does not imply that the items are ordered in any manneraccording to the order in which they are enumerated.

The term “comprising at least one of” followed by a listing of itemsdoes not imply that a component or subcomponent from each item in thelist is required. Rather, it means that one or more of the items listedmay comprise the item specified. For example, if it is said “wherein Acomprises at least one of: a, b and c” it is meant that (i) A maycomprise a, (ii) A may comprise b, (iii) A may comprise c, (iv) A maycomprise a and b, (v) A may comprise a and c, (vi) A may comprise b andc, or (vii) A may comprise a, b and c.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

The term “based on” means “based at least on”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

The methods described herein (regardless of whether they are referred toas methods, processes, algorithms, calculations, and the like)inherently include one or more steps. Therefore, all references to a“step” or “steps” of such a method have antecedent basis in the mererecitation of the term ‘method’ or a like term. Accordingly, anyreference in a claim to a ‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a method is deemed tohave sufficient antecedent basis.

Headings of sections provided in this document and the title are forconvenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure inany way.

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be incontinuous communication with each other, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with eachother may communicate directly or indirectly through one or moreintermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required, orthat each of the disclosed components must communicate with every othercomponent. On the contrary a variety of optional components aredescribed to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of thepresent invention.

Further, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the likemay be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods andalgorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In otherwords, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in thisdocument does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirement that thesteps be performed in that order. The steps of processes describedherein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps maybe performed simultaneously despite being described or implied asoccurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described afterthe other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by itsdepiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process isexclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not implythat the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to theinvention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithmsdescribed herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmedgeneral purpose computers and computing devices. Typically a processor(e.g., a microprocessor or controller device) will receive instructionsfrom a memory or like storage device, and execute those instructions,thereby performing a process defined by those instructions. Further,programs that implement such methods and algorithms may be stored andtransmitted using a variety of known media.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readilyapparent that more than one device/article (whether or not theycooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly,where more than one device or article is described herein (whether ornot they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a singledevice/article may be used in place of the more than one device orarticle.

The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternativelyembodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly describedas having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of thepresent invention need not include the device itself.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may beread by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may takemany forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatilemedia, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example,optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile mediamay include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typicallyconstitutes the main memory. Transmission media may include coaxialcables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires or otherpathways that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor.Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves andelectromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during radiofrequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms ofcomputer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexibledisk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM,DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any otherphysical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, aFLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave asdescribed hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carryingsequences of instructions to a processor. For example, sequences ofinstruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a processor, (ii) may becarried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may beformatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such asTransmission Control Protocol, Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structuresbesides databases may be readily employed. Any schematic illustrationsand accompanying descriptions of any sample databases presented hereinare illustrative arrangements for stored representations of information.Any number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggestedby the tables shown. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databasesrepresent exemplary information only; those skilled in the art willunderstand that the number and content of the entries can be differentfrom those illustrated herein. Further, despite any depiction of thedatabases as tables, other formats (including relational databases,object-based models and/or distributed databases) could be used to storeand manipulate the data types described herein. Likewise, object methodsor behaviors of a database can be used to implement the processes of thepresent invention. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, bestored locally or remotely from a device that accesses data in such adatabase.

It should also be understood that, to the extent that any term recitedin the claims is referred to elsewhere in this document in a mannerconsistent with a single meaning, that is done for the sake of clarityonly, and it is not intended that any such term be so restricted, byimplication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless aclaim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a functionwithout reciting any structure, it is not intended that the scope of anyclaim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112,sixth paragraph.

Although the present invention has been described with respect topreferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will note thatvarious substitutions and modifications may be made to those embodimentsdescribed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

1. A method, comprising: determining that a player of a first electronicgame device qualifies to receive at least one benefit associated with anaward value; and outputting an offer to provide the at least onebenefit, wherein the offer includes a requirement to use a secondelectronic game device to redeem the benefit. 2-65. (canceled)